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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  tha 
method: 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grfice  A  la 
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La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
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d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
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cas:  le  symbols  -h»>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
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/ 


MICHIGAN, 


CIVIL  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL, 


IN    A    COMPENDIOUS    FOIUM  ; 


WITH  A 


VIEW  OF   THE  SULRROUNDING   LAKES. 


By 


JAMES    H.    LANMAN. 


WITH  A  MAP. 


1 


• 


NEW-YORK: 

E.   FRENCH,    146  NASSAU   STREET. 

1839. 


t  • 


*  • 


/  •       N 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1839,  by  J.  H.  Lanman,  in  the 
Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


3  0  4-^5 


STEREOTVPED    BY    VINCENT    L.    DILL,    208    Wll.MAM    STREET. 


SCATCIIKRD  AND  ADAMS,  PBI.NTKRS. 


TO    THE 

PEOPLE   OF  MICHIGAN, 

WHOSE    ENTERPRISE   FIRST   URGED   THEM   INTO   THE    WILDERNE33, 
WHOSE     ENERGIES 
ARE   ADVANCING   THE   PROGRESS   OP   THE   STATE, 

THIS    WORK 

IS   RESPECTPDLLY   INSCRIBED. 


i 


PREFACE 


The  tract  of  territory  now  embraced  in  the  State  of  Miclil- 
gan,  derives  its  name  probably  from  the  Indian  word  Michi- 
sawgyerran,  signifyincr  a  Great  Lake.     Its  growing  importance 
has  niduced  mo  to  undertake  this  work.     Endeavoring  to  ex- 
hibit its  history  and  its  resources  in  a  condensed  form,  I  have 
amied  at  accuracy  in  all  its  parts  ;   and  to  state  nothincr  but 
that  for  which  ample  evidence  may  be  produced.     The"  ma- 
terials  have  been  scattered  around  ;  some  ni  rough  frac^ments 
half  buried  in  the  soil,  some  in  sculptured  masses,  and^thers 
had  not  been  hewn  from  the  quarry.     If  it  be  thought  that 
they  are  arranged  into  a  well-proportioned  fabric,  I  reap  a  full 
reward.  Besides  a  large  body  of  documentary  matter  and  other 
sources  from  which  focts  have  been  derived,  are  the  works 
ot  Hakluyt,  Hennepin,  La  Hontan,  Charlevoix,  Henry,  Car- 
ver, Roger,  Mackenzie,  Schoolcraft,  and  the  valuable  discour- 
ses which  have  been  delivered  by  Lewis  Cass,   Henry  R. 
fechoolcraft,  Henry  Whiting,  and  John  Biddlc  before  the  His 
torical  Society  of  Michigan.     I  would  also  acknowledge  mv 
deepest  obligation  to  several  gentlemen  of  the  Detroit  bar 
among  whom  are  B.  F.  H.  Witherell,  A.   D.  Frazer,  and 
1-  ranklin  Sawyer,  for  aiding  my  researches  in  the  prosecution 
ot  the  work  ;  and  especially  to  Mr.  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  for 
his  kind  aid  and  advice  when  these  were  most  required  •  an 
assistance,  springing  not  on.y  from  personal  friendship,' but 
from  an  interest  in  the  north-west,  whose  history  and  re- 


I 


Vt 


PREFACE. 


I 


•  sources  his  literary  efforts  have  illustrated  and  adorned.  I 
nm  also  indebted  to  the  State  Librarian  of  Michigan  and  the 
Secretary  of  State,  for  facihtating  my  labors  in  their  own  re- 
spective  departments. 

Independently  of  the  interest   which  has  been  for  some 
tmie   thickening  around   the   Lake  region  of  the  country, 
from  the  progress  of  emigration  into  that  quarter  and  its  ex- 
traordmary  advance,  there  are  also  other  facts  which  aucr- 
ment  tliis  interest.     In  the  first  place  it  has  been  excludeli 
from  the  possession  of  the  United  States  until  the  year  1796^ 
and,  by  consequence,  its  history  is  foreign  pievious  to  that 
date.     Held  by  the  French  crown  until  1760,  it  was  made  a 
rallying  point  for  its  military  and  mercantile  operations  until 
this  period,  connected  uS  they  were  with  savages  and  the  in- 
fluence of  French  institutions  and  the  CathoUc  Church.     It 
is,    moreover,   a    new  and  comparatively  unknown  field. 
Whilp  in  the  more  densely  settled  States  of  the  east  the  pro- 
minent events  of  their  growth  have  been  carefully  treo^-red 
up   and  recorded,  those  of  the  north-west  have  been  in  a 
great  measure  neglected.    This  is  doubtless  owing  to  the  fact, 
that  the  region  which  now  comprises  the  American  States  in 
this  quarter  had  no  distinct  and  independent  government  un- 
til the  year  1787.     It  was  a  howling  wilderness,  the  border  of 
a  vast  jurisdiction  belonging  to  monarchies  abroad  ;  inhabited 
by  migratory  traders,  .v^andering  hordes  of  savages,  or  tempo- 
rary armies  encamped  for  the  purposes  of  defence  or  conquest. 
But  the  time  has  now  ar-ivod  when  the  flicts  should  be  em- 
bodied,  and  the  causes  and  consequences  which  have  borne 
upon  that  country  clearly  set  forth. 

There  is  a  striking  difference  in  the  colonial  character  of 
the  Atlantic  States  and  those  of  the  north-west.  The  colo- 
nial structure  of  the  States  of  New  England  and  New- York 
was  of  the  English  and  Dutch  cast ;  while  that  of  Michigan, 
previous  to  its  conquest  by  Englar.d,  was  French.  The  hon 
independence,  the  upright,  sober,  and  self-denying  character 
ofthe  founders  of  New  England,  chastening  their  appetites 
and  passions  to  a  severe  form  of  religious  doctrine,  was  un- 
like that  of  the  class  of  Frenchmen,  who  were  inspired  with 


PREFACB. 

that  loyalty  which  characterized  the  reign  cf  Louis  XIV. 
the  volatile,  reckless,  and  amiable  class  who  now  inhabit  the 
cottages  of  a  great  portion  of  the  Canadas,  and  who  we 
have  recently  seen  striving  to  shake  off  the  British  power  ;  the 
class  who  had  been  accustomed  to  reverence  the  French 
monarchy  in  their  own  country,  and  were  willing  to  obey 
their  seigneurs  in  the  American  wilderness.     Another  diffe- 
rence between  the  two  colonies  consisted  in  their  religion. 
While  the  auaker  and  the  Puritan  adhered,  with  the  utmost 
rigid  firmness,  to  the  forms  of  their  own  church,  the  region  of 
the  lakes  was  the  stronghold  of  that  gorgeous  fabric,  the  Church 
of  Rome;  and  for  more  than  a  century  it  was  the  ranging 
ground  of  the  most  polished  order  of  that  church,  the  order  of 
the  Jesuits. 

The  history  of  Michigan  exhibits  three  distinct  and  strong- 
ly marked  epochs.  The  first  may  be  properly  denominated 
the  Romantic,  which  extends  to  the  year  1 760,  when  its  do- 
minion was  transferred  from  France  to  Great  Britain.  This 
was  the  period  when  the  first  beams  of  civilization  had  scarce- 
ly penetrated  its  forests,  and  the  paddles  of  the  French  Fur 
Trade  swept  the  lakes,  and  the  boat-songs  of  the  traders 
awakened  tribes  as  wild  as  the  wolves  which  howl  around 
their  wigwams. 

The  second  epoch  is  the  Military.  Commencing  with  the 
Pontiac  war ;  and,  running  down  through  the  successive  stru<r. 
gles  of  the  British,  the  Indians,  and  the  Americans,  to  obtahi 
the  domuiion  of  the  country,  it  ends  with  the  victory  of  Com- 
modore Perry,  the  defeat  of  Proctor,  and  the  death  of  Tecum- 
seh,  the  leader  of  the  Anglo-savage  Confederacy  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Thames. 

The  third  epoch  is  the  enterprising,  the  hardy,  the  practi- 
cal, the  mechanical,  the  working  age  of  Michigan  ;  and  it 
commences  with  the  introduction  of  the  public  lands  info 
market.  It  -s  the  age  of  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manu- 
factures ;  of  harbors,  cities,  canals,  and  rail-roads  ;  when  the 
landscapes  of  the  forest  are  meted  out  by  the  chain  and  com- 
pass of  the  surveyor  ;  when  its  lakes  and  streams  are  sounded 
and  adjudged  by  iheir  capacity  to  turn  the  wheel  of  a  mill  or 


«t 


via 


PREFACE. 


|i 


to  float  a  ship ;  and  when  these  facts  are  set  down  hi  the  vahie 
of  dollars  and  cents  to  the  price  current  of  the  exchange.  It 
IS  the  age  when  a  sturdy  energy,  acting  under  the  impulse  of 
our  free  government,  is  bounding  forward  with  unprecedented 
vigor ;  founding  states,  developing  resources,  overcoming  the 
obstacles  of  nature  by  artificial  means,  and  doing  in  years 
what  was  formerly  the  work  of  ages.  This  energy,  acting 
upon  our  western  States,  cannot  be  viewed  without  amaze"- 
ment ;  its  consequences  no  human  foresight  can  fathom. 

One  cannot  fail  to  be  surprised  at  the  too  general  want  of 
information  which  prevails  at  the  east  regarding  the  region  of 
the  north-western  lakes.  Although  the  advance  of  emigration 
has  tended  somewhat  to  enlighten  the  public  mind  on  that  sub- 
ject, stil  I  it  is  even  now  be]  ievcd  by  many  to  be  a  wilderness,  filled 
in  a  great  measure  with  savages,  and  destitute  of  th3  advanta- 
ges of  civilization.  Such  expressions  do  not  keep  pace  with  the 
advance  of  the  times.  They  would  have  been  well  founded  twen- 
ty years  ago  ;  for  the  great  mass  of  the  population  and  wealth 
has  sprung  up  within  that  period,  while  the  bulk  of  the  Ame- 
rican people  have  been  reposing  along  the  Atlantic  sea-board. 
A  concise  account  of  the  progress  of  the  State  of  Michigan 
will  rectify  such  impressions,  if  any  still  remain. 

Michigan  attracts  to  itself  interest  from  abroad  on  other 
grounds.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  domain  is  now  held  by 
non-resident  owners,  and,  on  account  of  the  advance  of  the 
country,  must  be  valuable  to  that  class  of  readers,  as  well  as  to 
those  who  seek  a  place  for  settlement.  This  work  is  also  de- 
signed as  a  book  of  reference  to  the  citizens  of  the  State 
where  the  prominent  facts  relating  to  its  progress  and  present 
condition  may  be  found.* 

The  jurisprudential  history  of  Michigan  is  somewhat  sin- 
gular in  the  various  changes  of  ihe  government  from  the  '■  feu- 
dal system "  of  the  Coutume  de  Paris,  the  French  colo- 
nial law,  to  the  forms  of  the  law  of  England  ;  and  thence 
through  the  successive  lorms  of  legislation  prescribed  by  the 
ordinance  of  1787  for  the  government  of  the  old  nor*h-west- 
ern  territory  down  to  the  establishment  of  the  present  State 
Governniciit. 


PREFACE. 


ix 


With  the  exception  of  the  discourses  to  whicli  allusion  has 
been  made,  tlie  present  volume  is  the  first  attempt  to  exhibit 
in  a  counected  form,  the  history  of  Michigan.     At  points  I 
have  gone  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  State  as  now  organized 
when  the  facts  appeared  to  have  a  bearing  on  the  main  object! 
Tiie  history  of  Michigan  is  traced  back  to  the  early  history 
cfCanada,  because  it  was  a  province  of  that  dominion,  was 
peopled  by  the  same  stock,  and  subject  to  the  same  govern- 
ment under  the  French  and  English  domination.     In  the  pro- 
secution of  the  work  I  have,  in  a  few  instances,  used  the  lan- 
guage of  others  ;   and  a  portion  of  two  articles  which  I  had 
prepared,  and  which  were  inserted  in  the  North  American  Re- 
view, has  been  here  embodied,  for  the  purpose  of  avoidino-  the 
labor  which  would  be  required  in  transcribing  the  parts  relat- 
mg  to  their  subjects. 

No  one  can  be  more  sensible  than  myself  of  the  deficiency 
ofthe  present  volume.     It  has  been  sent  in  parcels  to  the 
press,  and  locked  up  in  stereotype  plates  before  I  could  have 
the  opportunity  to  correct  them  as  I  could  wish,  being  distant 
from  the  place  of  publication.     A  law  of  Michigan,  subscrib- 
ing for  the  work,  also  limited  the  time  of  its  delivery  to  the 
first  of  May,  1839.     This  plea  is  put  in  to  abate  the  severity 
of  criticism,  which  might  be  urged  against  any  inaccuracies 
that  may  be  discovered,  either  in  point  of  fact  or  literary  ere- 
cution.     I  have  not  sought  to  collect  every  incident  which 
has  occurred  at  the  north-west,  and  the  evidence  to  support  it 
or  oppose  il,  and  to  enter  upon  long  hypothetical  arguments 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  them;  liut  it  has  been  my  de- 
sign to  group  those  prominent  circu^^rtjces  which  seem  to 
have  been  founded  on  strong  evidenc'^^hnd  which  have  con- 
trolled  the  destiny  of  the  State,  ibr  the  purpose  of  shovvino- 
why  Michigan  is  in  its  present  condition,  and  to  give  a  gene''- 
ral  sketch  of  its  geographical  features.     In  tliis  labor  I  have 
occupied  that  portion  of  time  which  ought  to  have  been,  and 
will  be  hereafter,  exclusively  devoted  to  the  labors  of  an  ardu- 
ous  profession. 

Thirteen  years  ago  the  author  had  occasion  to  spend  one 
year  in  what  ^vas  then  the  territory  of  Michigan.     Upon  the 

B 


/f! 


I 


*  PREFACE. 

banks  of  the  River  Raisin  and  the  Detroit  River,  which*  are 
now  adorned  with  heantiful  spechnens  of  architecture,  there 
weretheu  only  two  small  settlements,  Monroe  and  Detroit;  and 
near  to  these  a  (e'w  French  farms  lay  scattered  upon  the  streams 
of  the  frontier.  The  interior  was  a  wilderness,  then  but  little 
known.  In  these  villages  the  Indian  was  nearly  as  often 
met  as  the  white  man.  Tlie  mercantile  liouses  in  these  settle- 
ments were  often  surrounded  by  the  pack-horses  of  the  sava- 
ges loaded  with  furs;  and  he  has  journeyed  through  the 
forests  towards  Detroit  with  Canadian  Frenchmen,  who  were 
then  transporting  them  to  that  place,  which  was  the  princi- 
pal mart  of  the  trade.  In  visiting  the  State  of  Michigan  in 
1837  the  country  could  scarcely  be  recognized.  A  new  class 
of  population  had  spread  itself  out  upon  the  soil,  villages  had 
begun  to  dot  the  wilderness  from  the  banks  of  St.  Clair  to 
Lake  Michigan,  and,  under  the  progress  of  industry,  the 
State  had  sprung  up  in  power  and  importance  like  a  volcanic 
island  from  the  sea. 

Having  been  cast  as  an  emigrant  two  hundred  miles  into 
the  interior  during  the  last  year,  it  occurred  to  him  that  a  new 
and  rich  field  was  opened  around  him  to  research  ;  and  that, 
comparatively,  little  was  known  respecting  the  early  condi- 
tion of  the  country  by  many  who  had  been  long  residents. 
Measures  were  soon  taken  to  collect  the  most  interesting  cir- 
cumstances connected  with  its  early  history.  The  matter 
soon  grew  upon  his  hands,  and  it  was  thought  that  the  facts 
thus  accumulated  were  worthy  of  publication.  The  liberal 
encouragement  of  the  State  furnished  a  further  motive  to  that 
end.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  facts  embodied  in  relation  to  the 
later  progress  of  the  territory  liave  been  thrown  together  in  a 
more  rapid  form,  as  there  are  no  distinct  epochs  in  the  space 
of  four  or  five  years.  Even  the  first  newspaper  in  Michigan 
was  issued  as  late  as  1809.  The  recent  history  of  the  coun- 
try is,  indeed,  little  more  than  the  history  of  rapid  emigration 
and  settlement. 

From  the  facts  here  embodied,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the 
operations  of  the  European  Governments  in  this  country 
were  actuated  by  a  desire  of  dominion  ;  and  that  it  was  the 


M 


PREFACE. 


21 


desgn  of  the.r  nval  projects  to  grasp  the  wealth  and  juris, 
diction  of  the  soil.  The  country  bordering  the  great  C 
which  we  call  new,  will  be  perceived  to  have  been  S 
known.  We  shall  perceive  that  the  winding  courses  o"i? 
rivers  and  us  remotest  forests  have  been  explored,  '"or  me  ! 
cantile  and  religious  objects,  from  a  distant  period  ;  and  that 
the  rich  furs  which  abounded  in  the  wilderness  of  the  norm- 
west  have  for  two  centuries  adorned  the  robes  of  the  mon- 
archs  of  Europe,  and  contributed  to  the  luxury  of  courts 

The  particular  character  of  the  religious  exertions  of  the 
Catholic  missionaries  exhibits  prominently  the  influence  of 
their  religion      This  remark  is  made  without  reference  to 
sects  or  creeds.     The  spirit  which  was  frequently  exhibited 
by  them,  was  not  that  which  pines  within  iron  bars  and 
rownson  innocent  enjoyment;  not  the  religion  which  ex- 
hausts Itself  i^n  forms  and  rubrics,  in  making  professions  and 
counting  beads,  a  religion  which  showed  itself  in  words  ra- 
ther than  m  action.    But  it  was  a  spirit  which  softened  the 
character  and  controlled  the  conduct,  circulating  through  the 
whole  moral  system  as  the  blood  through  the  veins  of  the 
human  body.     It  was  a  religion  which  waved  its  snow-white 
banner-emblazoned  with  the  star  that  glowed  with  clear 
brilliancy  upon  the  plains  of  Judea-above  the  strife  of  sa 
vage  passions,  and  encountered  hardships,  trials,  and  even 
death  itself,  to  benefit  barbarians. 

We  shall  see,  in  the  contrast  of  the  present  condition  of  the 
north-west  with  that  of  former  times,  the  influence  of  politi- 
cal freedom  upon  national  growth.  It  shows  that  civil  oqv- 
ernment,  by  furnishing  the  means  and  motives  for  action 
pushes  forward  the  enterprises  of  communities  ;  and  that  na' 
tional  improvement  is  advanced  or  checked,  j.ist  in  proper- 
tion  to  the  spirit  of  the  people,  and  the  frame  of  government 
by  which  they  are  controlled. 

Had  more  ample  materials  and  greater  leisure  been  aff-ord- 
ed  me,  the  work  would  have  appeared  in  a  more  perfect 
term  ;  1  should  have  endeavored,  under  such  circumstances 
to  give  each  fact  in  chro'  ological  order,  and  to  arrange  it  under 
separate  years.    This,  uo  /ever,  was  found  to  be  impracticable, 


»i 


xU 


PaEPACE. 


} 


because  the  country  contained  no  records  of  annual  events. 
I  should,  moreover,  have  given  eacli  incident  its  full  propor- 
tion and  colorinor,  and  thus  have  thrown  upon  the  canvas  a 
symmetrical  painting ;  whereas  I  have  now  only  drawn  a 
group  of  crayon  sketches,  imperfect  and  unsatisfactory,  I 
fear,  to  the  great  mass  of  readers.  It  is  a  consolation,  how- 
ever, to  know  that  these  can  be  modified  at  a  future  time  if 
the  general  plan  of  the  work  meets  the  public  approbation. 

Perhaps  the  spirit  in  which  the  subject  is  treated  may  be 
considered  by  the  less  excitable  class  of  readers  as  too  ardent. 
To  that  class  I  would  remark,  that  the  nature  of  the  subject 
seems  naturally  to  awaLon  much  of  zeal.     The  example  of 
new  States  advancing  in  our  western  forests,  not  in  steps  but 
in  bounds,  presents  an  extraordinary  scene,  calculated  to  call 
forth  whatever  of  enthusiasm  the  mere  growth  of  a  country 
can  kindle.     The  people  of  the  new  States  of  the  west,  carry, 
mg  from  the  east  their  habifs,  their  laws,  their  institutions, 
and  their  principles,  and  erecting  frames  of  government  upon 
common  models,  are  composed,  for  the  most  part,  of  nmtual 
acquaintances  and  friends.     It  is  therefore     itural  for  each  to 
regard  the  cau5.es  which  have  acted  on  the  soil  of  the  other 
and  the  institutions  which  both  mav  build  up,  with  intense 
interest;  for  their  labors  are  the  achievement  of  one  common 
people,  shedding  glory  on  one  common  country.     They  are 
the  offspring  of  free  mind,  secure  in  the  reward  of  its  exertion, 
which  has  rent  the  manacles  of  past  ages,  and  which  is  novv 
accomplishing  its  own  bloodless  victories  on  a  field  as  wide 
and  bounteous  as  the  heart  of  man  could  wish.     To  trace 
the  causes  which  have  acted  upon  the  State,  and  to  exhibit 
its  present  condition,  is,  finally,  the  design  of  this  work  ;  and 
whatever  may  be  its  errors  in  point  of  statement  or  taste,  if  it 
shall  be  thought  that  it  adds  any  thing  to  the  stock  of  State 
history,  and  throws  any  light  upon  the  resources  of  the  north- 
west, I  shall  be  satisfied. 


Detroit,  Jan.  Isl,  1839. 


■m^iL 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  I, 
General  view  of  the  French  Colonization.    Voyagcsof  Jaquos  Cartier.    Hoche. 

Canada  "^  F   f      r  uT     °''''''  "'  Cl'amplain.     Rel.gious  institutions  in 
Canada.    Fa.lureof  the  Company  of  New  France.    Rival  claims  of  the  English 

vernor""co      r"'  ,^'=°"'^"'"^-     ^-^^  d'Argenson  appointecT^- 
ve  nor.     CondU.on  of  the  eolonies.     Count  de  Frontenac.     Discovery  of  fho 

Miss.ss.pp,.    Discoveryofthe  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.        .        .      ^ p„eei 

Chapter  II. 

^i^uT'vV'  ""r"^""""     ^"^'"'^  P"^""^^-^  -"' '"  'Chains  to  the  French 
galleys.     Pohcy  of  Kondiaronk.     Character  of  the  colonists.    The  jZ^, 

fZl     c'Z'        7-    ^'r''""''-     ^---'-'J-Bois.    Distrihutlo    of 
lands.    Commerce  and  agneulture.     Currency.     Social  condition  of  Canada 


Chapter  III. 

Colonization  of  Michigan.     Michilimackinac  founded.    Fort  St  Josenh      Fort 
erected  on  St.  Joseph's  River.     Indian  council  held  re^a    i  I  tJ    pit' at  D 

byTheFox^E  ,.,:"'?•  ^'^  O'^—  Second  a.tack  of  Detroit 
by  the  h  oxes.  Early  travellers  through  the  region  of  the  lakes  The  Baron 
LaHontun.     Peter  Francis  Xavier  de  Charlevoi.x  The  Baron 

•  •  •  •  Ot> 

Chapter  IV. 

"^tTs^'^H^'lf  BL'^dT^T,"''"'^'^  '"  '^''"-^^"-     ^^^^•-^^-    ^~^  •'es 
Frn.hr  The  peasantry.    Legal  administration.     Policy  of  the 

F«nch  Government.     Indian  mythology  of  the  lakes.     Land  distribution 
Colonization  mcreased.    Fur  Trade  on  the  lakes.         .        .      ""^  ""'^^^'^^"^ 

Chapter  V. 
French  and  English  claims  to  the  country.    Rival  discoveries.    Wars  between 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


the  two  nations.  Massacre  of  Schenectady.  Projected  conquest  of  Canada 
Projected  conquest  of  Nortli  America  by  the  French.  Treaty  of  Utrecht. 
Intrigue  of  Father  Rallo.  War  renewed.  Rival  claims  stated.  Letter  to 
Uncas.  Campaign  of  1759.  Battle  of  the  Plains  of  Abraham.  Surrender  of 
the  country  by  the  French  to  the  Enghsh.  Condition  of  Michigan  at  that  pe- 
"oiJ Pagers 

Chaptlr  VI. 

Gereral  Amherat  orders  Major  Rogers  to  take  possession  of  Michigan. 
Rogers's  Expedition.  First  appearance  of  Pontiac.  Rogers  travels  around 
Lake  Erie.  Letter  to  Bellestre,  the  French  commandant  of  Detroit. 
Rogers's  speech  to  the  hostile  Indians.  Reply  of  Bellestre.  The  Kffigy. 
Prediction  of  the  Indians  verified.  Rogers  takes  possession  of  Detroit. 
Treaty  with  the  Indians .85 


Chapter  VII. 

Social  condition  of  Michigan  after  tho  conquest.  Policy  of  Pontiac,  Outbreak 
of  the  Pontiac  War.  Siege  of  Detroit.  Battle  of  Bloody  Bridge.  Hostile 
demonstrations  around  Michihinackinnc.  Speech  of  Minavavana.  Speech 
of  a  Chippewa  ciiief  to  Henry  the  trader.  Wawatam.  Destruction  of 
Michilimackinac.     Arrival  of  Bradstreet.     Indians  dispersed.       .         .        93 

Chapter  VIII. 

Condition  of  Michigan  after  the  Pontiac  war.  The  Hudson's  Bay  company. 
The  North-west  Company.  The  American  Fur  Company.  Administration 
of  the  law  by  the  English.  Silver  found  near  Lake  Superior.  Project  for 
working  the  Copper  minus  of  Lake  Superior.  Condition  during  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution.  Byrd's  Expedition.  Governor  Hamilton'.^  Expedition.  In- 
dian relations.  Netawatwees.  Captain  Pipe.  White  Eyes.  Grermaa 
missionaries  carried  to  Detroit.  Indian  Council.  Speech  of  Captain  Pipe. 
Missionaries  acquitted 126 


Chapter  IX. 
Treaty  of  1783.  North-west  territory  organized.  Arthur  St.  Clair  appointed  Go- 
vernor. Retention  of  the  posts  by  the  English.  Confederation  of  the  savages. 
Messages  of  the  Hurons  of  Detroit.  Division  of  Canada.  Simcoe,  McKee, 
Elliot,  and  Girty.  Message  from  the  Spanish  settlements  on  the  Mississippi. 
Campaign  ofGon.  Harmar.  St.  Clair's  Defeat.  Victory  of  General  Wayne. 
View  of  settlements  in  Michigan.  Project  of  Randall  and  Whitney.  Posts 
of  Mackinaw  and  Detroit  relinquished.    Condition  of  Michigan  at  that  time. 

Chapter  X. 

Condition  of  Michigan  after  the  surrender  of  the  posts.  The  territory  of  Michi- 
gan erected.  Gen.  Hull  appointed  Governor.  Detroit  destroyed  by  fire. 
Administration  of  the  law.  Indian  confederation  upon  the  lakes  under  Te- 
cumsch.  Speech  of  Le  Marquoit.  Speech  of  Walk-in-the- Water,  and  other 
Wyandots.    Memorial  from  Michigan  to  the  General  Government.    Popula- 


■kk 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


tioninlSll.    Hostility  of  the  savages.    Land  office  established.    Indiantrea- 
tiea.    Operations  on  the  Wabash Page  168 

Chapter  XI. 

War  declared  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  Rcuresentations  of 
Governor  Hull.  Governor  Hull  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  western 
army.  Marches  over  to  Sandwich,  and  addresses  the  Canadians.  Policy  of 
Prevost.  Surrender  of  Detroit.  Indians  under  Tecumseh.  Conduct  of  Go- 
vernor Hull.  Expedition  to  the  River  Raisin.  Capture  of  Mackinaw.  Battle 
of  the  River  Raisin.  Gen.  Harrison's  Campaign.  Naval  Buttle  on  Lake  Erie. 
Harrison  arrives  at  Maiden.  Marches  to  Detroit.  Battle  of  the  Thames. 
Attack  of  Mackinaw.    Peace  decrlaed :        ;        186 

CirAPTER  XII. 
Colonel  Cass  appointed  Governor  of  Michigan.  Condition  of  Michigan  at  that 
time.  Pi'blic  lands  brought  into  market.  Population  in  1S20.  Exploring 
expedition  of  the  lakes.  Modifications  of  the  territorial  Government.  The 
New-York  and  Erie  Canal.  Mr.  Porter  appointed  Governor.  Controversy 
with  Ohio.  Mr.  Mason  elected  Governor.   Stale  of  Michigan  erected.        219 

Chapter  XIIL 
Face  of  the  country.  Rivers.  Soil.  Timbered  land.  Oak  openings.  Prairies. 
Burr-oak  plains.  Animals.  Interior  Lakes.  Geological  structure.  Mine- 
rals. Cost  of  clearing  lands.  Roads.  Climate.  Beauty  of  the  scenery. 
Features  of  the  north-western  part  of  the  State.  Aboriginal  monuments  and 
organic  remains.     Indian  topographical  terms.      Internal  Improvement.    249 

Chapter  XIV. 
General  view  of  the  Lake.  Coast  of  Michigan.  Size  of  the  Lakes.  Fish. 
Shore  of  Lake  Erie  und  the  Detroit  River.  Detroit.  Lake  St.  Clair.  '^  .ver 
St.  Clair.  Fort  Gratiot.  Lake  Huron.  Saginaw  Bay.  Mackinaw.  Falls 
of  St.  Marie.  Lake  Superior.  Green  Bay.  Lake  Michigan.  Length  of  the 
coast  of  Michigan.  .        .        : 

Chapter  XV. 
County  of  Wayne.  Monroe.  Macomb.  St.  Clair.  Lenawee.  Hillsdale. 
Branch.  St.  Joseph.  Cass.  Calhoun.  Jackson.  Berrien.  Van  Buren. 
Kalamazoo.  Washtenaw.  Oakland.  Livingston.  Ingham.  Eaton,  Barry. 
Allcghan.  La  Peer.  Genessee.  Shiawassee.  Clinton.  Ionia.  Kent.  Sa- 
ginaw.   Mackinaw.    Chippewa.    Production  of  the  counties  in  1837.      232 

Chapter  XVI. 

Components  of  the  population  of  Michigan.     The  character  of  the  popiilation. 
Amount  of  population  in  1837.    Character  of  the  Indians.     Their  number. 

295 

Chapter  XVII. 

General  features  of  the  Lake  country.    Its  commercial  advantages.    Ohio.   In- 
diana.   Michigan.    Illinois.   Wisc-insin.    National  importance  of  the  great 


,1 


XVI 


CONTENTS. 


lakes.  Causes  of  the  former  slow  growth  of  the  country.    Relative  importance 
of  Michigan.    Future  prospects  of  this  region.  .        .        .        Page  313 


APPEiXDlX. 

^ule  I.  to  page  5< 
Memoir  of  the  men  and  provisions  ni.'cessury  for  the  vessels  which  Francis  I. 
sent  into  Canada , 331 

iNote  [I.  to  page  14. 
Advanceof  the  Iroquois  upon  the  American  shore  of  the  lakes.       .        .        334 

JiTute  III.  to  pitge  34, 
Massacres  of  the  Jesuits  by  the  Iroquois.        ......        336 

JVuife  IV.  to  page  40. 
Copy  of  the  first  grant  of  land  which  wus  made  in   Detroit  by   Antoine  de  la 
Molhe  Cadillac,  Esq.  Lord  of  Bouaget  Mount  desert,  and  Commandant  for 
the  King  at  Detroit,  Pontchartrain 33S 

JSTote  V.  to  page  61, 
Petition  of  certain  inhabitants  of  Detroit  to  prevent  a  trespass  upon  a  mill.      33S 

J^ote  VI.  to  page  126. 
Indian  grant  of  1771 .        339 

J^ote  VII.  to  page  166. 
Treaty  of  Greeneville.         : 340 

JVo<e  VIII.  to  page  2ld. 
Early  Travellers  through  the  Lakes.     ....<<<        915 

J^ote  IX. 
Proclamation  of  Gen.  Hull. .        346 

JVote  X. 
Geology  of  Michigan. 347 

J^ote  XL 
Principal  Rivers. 366 

JVo/e  XII. 
Constitution  of  Michigan 382 


a     I 


I    , 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


33-1 
336 


333 
339 
340 
345 
346 
347 
366 
382 


i 


CHAPTER  I. 

General  vinw  of  French  Colonization- Voyagos  of  Jacques  Curtier-Hochclaaa 
Roberval's  Vov«.„-Samuel  Cluunpla.n's'  N^ovaKe-'jem.ita  sent  to  Canafa 
--Cornpany  o  .New  France-Death  of  Cha,n,;iam-IU'  .iou.s  Inst  tutlo  .Tii 
Canada-];  ailure  o  the  Company  of  New  Franco-llivuT  claims  of  the  l-]  - 
g hsl  and  h  renc h-  roquois  and  Al.o,K,„in8-Mar.,nis  d'  Argenson  appo  - 
cd  Governor-Cond.t.on  of  t he  Colonies-Connt  di  Frontenac-DiacovS  of 
the  Mississippi-Discovery  of  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  ^ 

During  the  fifteenth  and  a  greater  part  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  the  i)rincipal  nionarchs  of  Europe  devoted  their  en- 
terprise to  the  discovery  of  new  worlds.     Now,  the  energies 
of  mankind  are  employed  in  their  colonization,     Tlie  ItaUau 
states,  and  especially  the  Republics  of  Venice  and  Genoa, 
the  Portuguese  and  the  Spaniards,  France  and  England,  cm- 
barked  in  the  project  of  exploration.     The  design  of  the  ad- 
venturers  was  to  aggrandize  themselves  by  founding  new 
empires,  and  their  motive  was  the  love  of  gain  and  doininion. 
A  spirit  of  adventure  kindled  the  more  active  youth  of  those 
states,  who  were  employed  in  the  study  of  navigation  and  the 
kindred  sciences.     They  burned  with  zeal  to  traverse  vast 
and   trackless   oceans,  stretching  away  thousands  of  miles 
toward  unknown  coasts,  which  their  fhncy  had  painted  in 
glowing  colors  as  a  second  Eden  ;  and  to  plant  the  banners 
of  their  country  upon  shores  adorned  with  the  richest  scene- 
ry, whose  caves  were  encrusted  with  gems,  whose  streams 
glided  over  beds  of  silver,  and  where  the  rocks  were  based 
on  solid  gold.     Monarchs  and  subjects,  nobles  and  priests, 
sailors,  artisans,  soldiers,  and  nuns,  Ircely  gave  their  patrona<re 
or  individual  service  to  the  great  work.     Columbus  and  the 
Cabots,  Gaspar  de  Cortcreal,  Giovanni  Verazzano,  and  other 

1 


U!    !| 


2  HISTORY    OK    MIf  IIKiAN. 

dariiiir  mariiuTS,  had  each,  in  tlioir  own  belialf  or  under  the 
auspices  of  their  resp(>ctivc  jrovernnicnts,  crossed  the  sea  for 
these  objects.  The  French  directed  their  projects  to  the  dis- 
covery and  settlement  of  the  more  nordiern  parts  of  the  coun- 
try around  the  St.  Lawrence,  bccmise  the  Spaniards  occupied 
the  territory  of  Florida,  and  the  English  held  possession  of 
the  middle  portion  of  the  contment. 

About  ten  years  after  the  voyage  of  Verazzano,  Jacques 
Cartier,  a  mariner  of  St.  Malo,  was  granted  a  commission 
from  Francis  I.  to  push  his  discoveries  into  the  then  un- 
known regions  of  America.  On  the  iiOth  of  April,  1034,  ho 
accordingly  embarked  upon  the  expedition  with  two  ships, 
each  of  sixty  tons  burthen,  and  a  good  crew  of  sixty-one  men. 
This  first  voyage  of  Cartier  was,  however,  limited  to  a  sur- 
vey of  the  northern  coast  of  Newfoundland.  When  he 
had  landed  upon  the  shores  and  seen  the  natives,  he  was  in- 
duced, from  the  precarious  state  of  the  wetther  and  the  ad- 
vanced season,  to  return  to  St.  Malo  ;  and  on  the  15th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1534,  he  came  to  anchor  in  that  port,  reserving  fur- 
ther discoveries  for  a  future  voyage. 

On  his  return,  Cartier  was  received  with  much  favor,  and 
having  given  a  favorable  account  of  his  voyage,  he  soon  enter- 
ed upon  a  second  erpcdition.  His  squadron  on  this  second 
voyage  consisted  of  three  ships,  the  Great  Hermina  of  about 
120  tons,  which  Cartier  commanded  in  person,  the  Little 
Hermina' of  60  tons,  and  the  Hermirillon  of  40  tons.  Before 
they  embarked,  a  solemn  and  gorgeous  pageant  was  performed 
in  the  church  for  their  spiritual  comfort.  Having  confessed, 
and  received  the  sacrament,  the  crew  were  drawn  up  in  the 
cathedral,  and,  standing  before  the  altar,  received  also  the 
benediction  of  the  Bishop,  who  was  arrayrd  in  the  most 
costly  sacerdotal  robes. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1535,  Cartier,  the  Frcnc;h  admiral, 
weighed  anchor,  and  set  sail  for  Newfoundland.  The  voy- 
age was  tempestuous.  Arriving  within  sight  of  Newfound- 
land, the  mariners  passed  to  the  west,  and  entering  the  gulf 
on  the  day  of  St.  I-awrence,  they  gave  that  name  to  the  broad 
.!.  v  et  of  water  which  was  spread  ou  t  before  them.    This  name 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION.  3 

was  afterwards  extended  to  the  river.     In  September,  Cartier 
ascended  the  St.  Lawrence  us  far  as  the  island  of  Orleans. 
He  was,  however,  bore  opposed  in  his  progress  by  a  body  of 
Indians,  who  probal  'y  considered  the  white  men  as  intruders, 
nlthougti  in  other  respects  lie  was  received  with  generous 
hospitality  by  the  natives.     In  order  to  discourage  Ins  advance 
into  the  interior,  they  made  him  bountiful  presents  of  corn 
and  fish.     Finding  this  of  no  avail,  the  Indians  resorted 
to   conjury,  supposing  they  might  terrify  him  into  compli- 
ance.    A  circle  was  drawn  upon  the  sand  by  a  prominent  sa- 
chem, and  the  savages,  who  had  collected  thick  around  it, 
being  ordered  to  retire,  the  French  mariner  was  beckoned 
within  this  circle.     A  speech  having  been  concluded,  Cartier 
was  presented  two  or  three  small  children,  amid  the  yells  of 
the  surrounding  savages.     Finding  these  arts  also  unavailing, 
the  chief  resorted  to  a  species  of  deception,  which  is  now  in 
common  practice  among  the  Indians.  They  dressed  three  men 
like  devils,  wrapped  them  in  black  and  white  dogskins,  their 
faces  were  painted  black  as  coal,  while  they  had  horns  on 
their  head  more  than  a  yard  long.'     These  Indian  jugglers 
having  performed  certain  feats,  declared  that  the  Great  "spirit 
had  uttered  maledictions  against  the  French,  and  that  there 
was  so  much  ice  and  snow  in  the  country,  certain  death 
would  await  the  white  men  if  theyadvanccd.  Theships  of  Car- 
tier  having  been  safely  moored,  he  advanced  up  the  St.  Law- 
rence, notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  the  savages,  and  soon 
arrived  at  the  principal  village  on  the  island  of  Hochelaga, 
where  Montreal  now  stands.     That  region  he  found  in  the 
possession  of  a  branch  of  the  Wyandot  or  Huron  tribe  of  In- 
dians, who  had  driven  out  the  preceding  inhabitants,  and  es- 
tablished themselves  in  their  place. 

Having  climbed  the  hill  at  the  base  of  which  lay  the  vil- 
lage, he  beheld  spread  around  him  a  gorgeous  scene  of  woods 
and  waters,  promising  glorious  visionsof  future  opulence  and 
national  strength.  That  Jiill  he  called  Mont-royall,  and  this 
name  was  afterwards  extended  to  the  island  of  Montreal.  At 
that  period,  more  than  three  centuries  ago,  the  village  of 

♦  Hakluyt,  vol.  3,  page  2G9. 


HrSTOIlY   OP    MICHIGAN, 


1^ 


' 


a  J 


Hochelagfa  was  surrounded  by  large  fields  of  corn  and  stately- 
forests.  The  hill  called  Mont-royall  was  fertile  and  highly 
cultivated.  "  The  form  of  the  village  was  "ound,  and  encom- 
passed with  timber,  witli  three  courses  of  ramparts,  framed 
like  a  sharp  spire,  but  laid  across  above.  The  middlemost 
of  them  was  made  and  built  as  a  direct  line,  but  perpendicu- 
lar. These  ramparts  w^ere  framed  and  fashioned  with  pieces 
of  timber  laid  along  the  ground,  very  well  and  cunningly 
joined  together  after  this  fashion.  The  enclosure  was  in 
height  about  two  rods.  It  had  but  one  gate,  which  was  shut 
with  piles,  .stakes,  and  bars.  Over  it,  and  also  in  many  places 
of  the  wall,  there  were  places  to  run  along,  and  ladders  to  get 
up,  full  of  stones  for  its  delence.  In  the  town  there  were 
about  fifty  houses,  about  fifty  paces  long  and  twelve  or  fifteen 
broad,  built  of  wood,  covered  over  with  the  bark  of  the  wood 
as  broad  as  any  board,  very  finely  ai.d  cunningly  joined  to- 
gether. Within  these  houses  there  were  many  rooms,  lodg- 
insfs,  and  chambers.  In  the  midst  of  these  there  was  a  great 
court,  in  the  middle  whereof  they  made  their  fire.  They 
lived  in  common  together.  Then  did  the  husband's,  wives,  and 
children,  each  one  retire  themselves  to  their  chambers.  They 
also  had  on  the  tops  of  their  houses,  garrets,  where  they  kept 
their  corn  to  make  their   bread,  which  they  called  cara- 

At  that  time  tlie  savages  prepared  their  corn  with  mortars 
and  pestles,  and  they  made  difi'erent  kinds  of  pottage  with 
corn,  peas,  beans,  and  muskmellons  ;  and  they  had  in  their 
houses  certain  vessels,  us  big  as  any  "  butt  or  tun,"  in  which 
they  preserved  their  fish.  Their  main  support  was  hunting, 
fishing,  and  husbandry.  The  most  valuable  thing  in  the 
world  to  them  was  called  cornibofz,  and  ot  these  they  made 
beads,  and  wore  tliem  about  their  necks,  "  even  as  we  do  chains 
of  gold  and  silver." 

*  Tl  3  aspect  of  an  Indian  village  in  l.xJo  may  pcrliaps  throw  some  light  on 
the  Q.icient  monuments  of  an  unknown  race,  which  are  now  scattered  over  (he 
west,  and  whicii  are  supposed  to  belong  to  a  people  settled  in  North  America 
before  the  Indians.  It  was  probably  like  a  modern  Indian  village,  somewhat 
modified  in  its  defences  by  the  belligerent  character  of  that  age. 


t    . 


CANADIAN   COLONIZATION. 


6 


LS.  lodfr- 


Cartier  was  f^t  that  time  told  by  the  natives,  tliat  the  rijrht 
and  ready  way  to  Sa<rnenay  was  west- iiorth- west ;  and  that 
there^Wfti-e  people,  far  distant  in  fli:;f  region,  who  were  clad  as 
the  Frejich,  and  lived  in  town^,  who  were  very  honest,  and 
haa  "great  stores"  of  gold  and  copper  ;  that  there  were  west- 
ward ^/iree  ^rea^  ZaA-es  and  a  sea  of  fresh  water  (probably 
Lake  Snperiorj,  of  which  no  man  had  found  the  end;  that 
there  was  a  certain  river  running  south-west,  (the  Mississip- 
pi,) of  which  there  was  a  month's  sailing  to  go  down  to  a 
certain  land,  where  there  was  no  ice  or  snow,  wliere  the 
inhabitants  continually  warred  against  one  another,  and  where 
there  was  a  great  abundance  '^  of  oranges,  almonds,  nuts,  and 
apples.*" 

Erecting  a  cross  and  shield  emblazoned  with  the  arms  of 
France,  the  emblem  of  the  state  and  church,  denoting  that 
the  French  king  was  the  rightful  discoverer  of  the  country, 
Cartier  named  the  region  New  Franc^.  On  the  5th  of  Oc- 
tober the  French  mariner  left  the  village  of  llochelaga,  and 
spent  the  wmter  on  the  river  St.  Croix.  The  representations 
of  Cartier,  who  was  known  to  possess  a  candor  ecpial  to  his 
energy  and  judgment,  somewhat  checked  the  progress  of 
French  enterprise.  The  country  which  he  visited  abounded 
with  no  gold  or  precious  stones,  and  its  shores  were  alleged  to 
be  bleak  and  stormy.  In  consequence,  the  project  of  coloui 
zation  was  not  renewed  until  about  four  years  after  his  re- 
turn to  France,  which  occurred  during  the  next  stmimer. 

In  1510,  Francois  de  la  Koque,  Seigneur  de  Roberval,'was 
granted  an  extnsive  charter  by  Francis  I.  which  covered 
the  whole  of  that  region,  and  it  invested  him  with  all  the 
power  possessed  by  the  French  king  within  its  bounds^ 
During  the  summer  of  that  year,  Roberval  sailed  for  America, 
with  a  squadron  of  five  vessels  under  the  supreme  naval  com- 
mand of  Cartier.  This  voyaire  was  eflected  without  any 
serious  accident,  and  a  loit  was  erected  on  some  part  of  the 
coast  now  unknown,  of  which  Cartier  was  left  commandant. 

*  That  re-ion  is  supposed  to  be  Florida.  Amonj  other  articles  of  curious 
workmanship,  whicii  were  presented  to  Cartier,  was  a  great  knife  of  red  copper, 
which  came  from  Sagiienay. 


6 


;    n 


■ 


HISTORY    OP    nilCHIGAM. 


'i 


Having  suffered  from  the  severity  of  thr,  season  and  the  an- 
noyance of  the  Indians,  who  opposed  the  advance  of  the 
French,  he  soon  re-ernbarkcd  his  colony  for  France.      On 
his  way  back  he  met  Roberval  on  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land, with  vessels  laden  with  men,  provisions,  and  arms  •  and 
returning  with  him  to  the  fort,  he  assumed  the  command 
while  Roberval  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence.      No  authen- 
tic accounts,  bearing  directly  on  the  exploration  of  Canada  for 
the  space  of  sixty  years  from  that  time,  have  come  down  to  us, 
excepting  the  disastrous   expedition  of  the    Marquis  de  la 
Roche,  and  the  voyages  of  M.  de  Chauvinto  Tadousac,  about 
tne  year  1600:   domestic  troubles,  covering  the  French  em- 
pire with  gloom,  swept  all  projects  of  foreign  discovery  from 
the  face  of  the  kinsfdom.* 

At  length  a  company  of  mercliauts  was  formed  at  Rouen 
through  the  agency  of  M.  Pontgrave,  an  intelligent  partner 
m  a  house  at  St.  Malo,  and   M.  Chatte,  the  governor  of 
Dieppe,  for  the  purpose  of  foreign  colonization.     This  Com- 
pany  was  invested  with  the  same  privileges  which  had  before 
been  granted  to  la  Roque  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the 
country  and  establishing  colonies  along  the  St.  I.-xwrence. 
Samuel  Champlain,  who  was  a  partner  in  the  Company,  Ipd 
the  expedition  in  1603,  and  in  1608  this  energetic  and  hardy 
pioneer  had  founded  the  city  of  Quebect     The  design  of 
this  Company  was  to  reap  the  profits  of  the  fur  trade,  a^s  the 
wilderness  abounded  with  the  fur-bearing  animals  ;  and  a  spot 
having  been  selected  for  his  colonial  establishment,  Cham- 
plain  left  at  that  point  a  few  settlers,  who  soon  commenced 
building  rude  huts  and  clearing  the  lands. 

The  foundation  of  tha  hatred  of  the  Iroquois  Confederacy 
towards  the  French,  whose  wars  with  the  Colonists  are 
identified  with  the  early  history  of  New  France,  was,  doubt- 

*  The  following  is  said  to  be  the  origin  of  the  name  of  Canada,  althoueh  it  is 
a  doubtful  question.  When  the  Spanish  first  visited  the  country  in  pursuit  of 
gold,  they  remarked  in  their  disappointment  Aca-nada,  here  is  nothinu.  The.e 
words  were  so  often  repeated  to  the  French  by  the  Indians,  that  it  was  believed 
to  be  the  name  of  the  country. 

t  auebec,  say  a  Charlevoix,  ia  derived  from  Quebeis,  an  Algonquin  word  sie- 
nifying  a  strait.  ^ 


I" 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION.  7 

less,  laid  at  this  time  by  Champlain ;  although  Cartier  had 
before  advanced  up    the  St.  Lawrence,  taken  against  their 
will,  and  carried  across  the  Atlantic,  some  of  their  principal 
sachems,  Donnaconna,  Taignaogny,  and  Domagaia,  the  first 
of  whom  died  in  France.     The  Hurons  and  Algonquins  were 
then  in  league  against  the  Iroquois,  and  Champlain,  as  a 
point  of  policy,  joined  these  two  nations  against  the  latter  tribes. 
Having,  however,  explored  the  country  and  acquired  a  ge- 
neral knowledge  of  its  circumstances,  he  returned  home,  and 
succeeded  in  organizing  a  new  Company  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Prince  of  Condo,  who  assumed  the  title  of  viceroy  of  New 
France.    Arriving  in  Canada  in  1612,  he  brought  four  Recol- 
lets  to  the  colony  for  the  conversion  of  the  savages,  and  five 
years  afterwards  he  was  appointed  lieutenant  under  Marshal  de 
Montmorency,  who  had  succeeded  the  Prince  of  Conde  in  the 
vice-royalty.     During  the  same  year  he  had  introduced  his 
family  into  Canada,  and  employed  his  talents  and  enterprize 
in  encouraging  the  colonists  in  the  disheartening  labors  of  the 
forest,  in  consolidating  the  French  power,  and  in  repelling 
the  attacks  of  the  Iroquois. 

The  Duke  de  Ventadour  had  entered  into  holy  orders  in 
1622,  and,  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  the  influence  of 
the  French  and  converting  the  Indians,  he  soon  sent  into 
Canada  a  number  of  Jesuits.  Troubles,  however,  soon 
sprang  up.  The  Sieur  de  Caen,  with  a  body  of  Protestants, 
had  embarked  in  the  Canadian  fur  trade,  and  from  religious 
jealousies  or  mercantile  rivalry,  they  soon  came  to  open  and 
bitter  collision  with  the  Catholics. 

In  order  to  adjust  these  dissensions,  and  to  consolidate 
the  French  power  in  the  colony,  Cardinal  de  Richelieu  or- 
ganized what  was  termed  the  Company  of  New  France. 
This  Company  was  comprised  of  one  hundred  associates^ 
who  engaged  to  send  to  Canada  three  fiundred  tradesmen,  and 
to  supply  them  with  all  necessary  utensils  for  three  years ; 
after  which  time  they  were  to  grant  to  each  workman  surticient 
land  for  his  support,  besides  grain  for  seed.  The  Company 
also  stipulated  to  colonize  the  lands  embraced  in  their  charter, 
with  six  thousand  inhabitants  before  the  year  1643,  and  to  prol 


w 


W 


8 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


!U 


■ 


vide  each  sottlomont  with  three  Catholic  priests,  whom  thry 
wore  to  su|.i,ort  liir  fi/i,>en  years.     The  cleared  hind  was 
theu  to  I.C  irranted  to  the  Catholic  clero-y  ibr  the  mainte- 
nance ol  the  ehurcli.     Certain  prerocratives  were  at  the  same 
tmK^  reserved  to  the  French  kinff.     The  principal  were,  re- 
hirions  supremacy,  homage  as  sovereign  of  the  country,  the 
ri.^rht  of  nominating  the  commandants  ol  forts  and  the  olHcers 
ol  justice,  and,  on  (>aeh  succession  to  the  tiirone,  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  a  crown  of  gold  weigh ing  eight  marks.      The 
Company  was  also  investrd  with  the  right  of  conlerring  titles 
ol  distmction,  some  of  which  were  rccpiired  to  he  confirmc^d 
hy  the  kmg.     The  right  to  trallic  in  peltries,  and  to  engao-e  in 
other  commerce,  (excepting  the  cod  and  whale  tisheries,  was 
at  the  same  time  granted  m  the  charter. 

The  king  of  France  also  presented  the  Company  two  ships 
of  war,  upon  condition  that  the  value  should  be  refunded   if 
fdteen  Inmdred  French  iniiahitants  were  not  transported  into 
the  colonies  l,y  (heir  agency  within  the  lirst  ten  years.    At  the 
same  tune  the  descendants  of  l''r(;nchmen  iniiabiting  Canada, 
and  all  savages  who  should  he  converted  to  the  Catholic  faith' 
were  permitted  to  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  natural-born 
subjects;  and  all  artihcers,  sent  out  by  the  Company,  who  had 
spent  six  years  m  the  French  colonies,  were  permitted  to  re- 
turn and  settle  in  any  trading  town  in  I'rance.     The  charter 
granting  these  privileges  was  executed  in  U)27.  and,  under 
more  favorable  circumstances,  it  niioht  have  coiilbrred  upon 
the  partncsrs  solid  and  permanent  advantages.     The  desio-n 
w-as  to  strengthen  the  rights  of  France  to  the  territory  which 
she  claimed  in  iNorth  America,  while  the  principal  object  of 
the  grant(!es  si-emed  directed  to  tlu;  benellt  of  themselves  by 
the  prosecution  of  the  fur  trade. 

M.  Champlain  was  soon  appointed  governor.  For  the  first 
few  years,  howc^ver,  the  colony,  from  various  causes  connect- 
ed with  Its  remote  position  from  the  parent  country,  the  hard- 
ships ol  the  forest  and  the  hostility  of  the  savages,  sulfered 
extremely  and  was  almost  on  the  point  of  breakin.r  down 
Ships  had  l)een  sent  out  from  France  iox  supplies,  but  they 
were  captured  by  Sir  David  Kertk,  then  in  the  employment 


CANAUIAN    COLONIZATION.  9 

Of  the  English  crown.  The  doprcdaiions  of  the  Iroquois 
kept  the  enerj^ies  of  the  colom.sts  in  check,  and  cripplecilheir 
strength  nnti  the  year  U20,  when  the  French  adventurers 
were  myolved  in  the  deepest  distress.  At  this  juncture  Sir 
David  Kertic  appeared  before  Quebec  witli  an  Enghsh  squad- 
ron and  compelled  (•ham,,lain  to  surrender  that  fortress  and 
al  Canada  to  England.  Tlie  generous  terms  of  Kertk's  capi 
tulution,  liowever,  induced  most  of  the  French  emigrants  to  re- 
man, and  in  1032  the  country  was  restored  to  France  by 
Hie  treaty  of  St.  Germain.  ^ 

Immediately  on  this  event,  vigorous  efforts  were  made  to 
advance  the  colonization  of  the  country.     (Jhamplain,  uho  had 
been  re-apponued  Governor,  soon  sailed  with  a  squadron  pro 
vided  wuh  the  necessary  supplies  and  armaments  and  amved 

A  Un  tt'  T^"  ".^"^  "-">^  •^^■^•-  former  colonists. 
At  that  time  the  colonial  system  was  better  organized  •  mea- 
sures were  adopted  to  reconcile  existing  ditferSicesTgr'owirg 
out  of  the  mixed  and  somewhat  immoral  principles  of  the 
emigrants,  and  to  prevent  the  introduction  into  the  colony  of 
any  but  individuals  of  fair  character.  In  1035  a  college  of 
the  order  of  the  Jesuits  was  established  at  Quebec  under  the 
direction  of  the  Marquis  de  Gamache,  and  this  ms^^L: 

which  had  grown  to  a  state  of  open  licentiousness 

tho  r\?  '^n/'''  '^"  '^•""^  '''^'''^  ^  ^^«^^  misfortune  in 
the  death  of  Champlain.     With  a  mind  warmed  into  enthu^ 

siasm  by  the  vast  domain  of  wilderness  which  was  stretched 
around  him  and  the  glorious  visions  of  future  gr  ndeur 
which  Its  resources  opened,  a  man  of  extraordinafy  iZl 
hood  and  the  clearest  judgment,  a  brave  officer  and  1 
scientific  seaman,  his  keen  forecast  discerned,  in  the  magnifi 
cent  prospect  of  the  country  which  he  occupied,  the  eTm  ms 
<>f  a  mighty  empire,  .f  which  he  had  hoped  \o  1^  the  fouTd 
^^  ith  a  s  out  heart  and  ardent  zeal  he  had  entered  upon  the 

fedTof  t  ^"'"^'"'""'  ''''  '''''  '^''^^^^^^'  valuaJ^lt 
h  flh  ZTT  ''  '"  -P'-«^--.  -'d  had  cut  the  way 

gress  of  the  trench  towards  the  lakes.     Upon  the  death  of 

^8: 


r 


N' 


10 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIQAN. 


H 


P 


I? 


I  * 


Champlain,  Montmagny  was  appointed  Governor.  But  al- 
though he  entered  into  the  views  of  his  predecessor,  Mont- 
magny did  not  possess  that  practical  knowledge  and  ripe  ex- 
perience wiiich  might  have  enabled  him  to  carry  out  the  pro- 
jects of  Champlain  ;  and  by  consequence,  the  fur  trade  was  all 
that  was  prosecuted  with  any  degree  of  energy  under  his  ad- 
ministration. 

Aboiit  that  period  a  number  of  religious  institutions  were 
founded  in  Canada,  ostensil)ly  for  the  chrisiianization  of  the 
Indians,  but  probably  for  the  extension  of  the  French  power 
through  the  wilderness,  by  pressing  the  sanctions  of  the  Church 
upon  the  credulous  minds  of  the  savages.  At  Sillery,  a 
few  miles  above  Quebec,  a  Catholic  sen)inary  was  founded 
for  their  instruction  ;  and  it  was  placed  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  three  nuns  from  Dieppe,  who  had  been  sent 
out  through  the  agency  of  the  Ducliessc  d'  Arguillon.  The 
ccnvent  of  St.  Ursula  was  also  established  at  Quebec  by 
M:idirn3  dj  la  Poltria,  a  young  widow  of  rank,  who  had  en- 
gaged several  sisters  of  the  Ursulinos  at  Tours,  with  whom 
she  sailed  from  Dieppe  in  a  vessel  chartered  at  her  own 
expanse.  A  seminary  of  the  order  of  St.  Sulpicius  was  also 
founded  at  Montreal.  This  was  consecrated  by  the  Jesuits 
with  great  pomp,  and  the  whole  Island  of  Montreal  was  grant- 
ed by  the  king  for  its  support. 

The  Company  of  New  FVance,  however,  did  not  fulfil  the 
object  of  its  charter.  Little  was  done  by  that  body,  either  to 
encourage  the  settlement  of  the  country  or  for  the  advance- 
ment of  agriculture.  The  attention  of  the  ministers  of  the 
crown  was,  moreover,  diverted  from  the  complaints  of  the 
French  Colonists,  by  men  who  had  an  important  interest  in 
directing  the  physical  labor  of  the  colonies  into  those  channels 
whence  the  most  sudden  wealth  could  be  accumulated;  by 
the  partners  of  the  Companies  desiring  to  concentrate  the 
energies  of  the  people  upon  the  tur  trade.  In  the  remote 
points  of  the  wilderness  around  the  St.  Lawrence,  forts  of 
rude  construction  had  been  erected ;  but  these  were  merely 
posts  of  defence,  or  depots  of  the  trade,  the  dominion  of 
which,  at  that  early  period,  stretched  through  tracts  of  wilder- 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION-.  JJ 

ness  large  enough  for  kingdoms.     The  charjicter  of  the  fe 
males  connected  with  the  church  was  too  generally  impure 
and  that  of  most  of  the  men  was  openly  profligate.     The  sol^ 
diers,  who  had  been  from  time  to  time  despatched  from  France 
to  protect  the  French  Colonies  in  Canada,  were  also  lax  in 
then-  morals,  and  they  came  without  women.     The  enero-ies 
of  the  people   were   cramped  by  the  Iroquois,  who  huno- 
hko  hungry  wolves  around  the  track  of  the  colonists,  seek- 
ing  to  glut  their  vengeance  against  the  French,  by  butcher- 
ing  th.u-  people  and  plundering  their  settlements  whenever 
opportunuy  occurred.     MoUnal  bad  been  attacked  by  the 
savages,  and  its  entire  destruction   was  only  prevented  bv 
the  arrival  of  M.  d'  Aillebout  from  France  with  a  reinforce 
rnent  m   1G47.      During  the  same  year  the  institution  of 
the     Daughters  of  the  Congregation  "  was  founded  by  Mar- 
queriie  Bourgeois.  ^ 

While  these  French  settlements  were  advancing  in  Cana- 
da  a  riva  power  had  sprung  up  on  the  Atlantic  sea-board. 
1  he  English,  whose  discoveries  and  colonization  were  nearly 
contemporaneous  with  thoseof  the  French,  had  spread  their  vil- 
lages along  the  eastern  sea-coast  of  the  United  States      First 
stimulated  by  the  same  general  objects  as  those  of  the  French 
f^ie  fishery  and  the  fur  trade,  the  English  strength  was  crra' 
dually  augmented  by  colonies  founded  in  this  wilderness" on 
account  ol  oppression  abroad,  and  afterwards  led  by  thestur 
dy  pilgnms  of  New  England,  the  Dutch  of  New- York  the 
Quakers  ot  Pennsylvania,  the  liberal  genius  of  Lord  Baltimore 
and  other  enterprising  adventurers.     While  the  Rncrljsh  were 
scattered  along  (he  sea-coast,  the  French  occupied,  or  pretend- 
ed  to  occupy  the  vast  wilderness  around  the  Great  I  ,akes  and 
west  of  the  Alleghany  Mo.uitains.     They  both  held  possession 
of  then-  respective  tracts  under  the  authority  of  their  respec- 
tive governments,  and  claimed  them  on  the  same  crrounds- 
pnority  of  discovery,  conquest,  and  appropriation.     They  were 
both  rivals  ni  the  fur  trade,  and  it  was  the  effort  of  each  to 
subvert  the  power  of  the  other.     The  prize  at  stake  was  a 
country  of  unbomided  resources  and  magnificent  features  • 
and  the  struggle  to  attain  it  was  made  between  two  nations,' 


m 


12 


HISTORY    OF   MICHIGAN. 


Hi 


*l. 


whose  constitution  has  evinced  in  every  period  of  their 
subsequent  history  repugnant  principles.  In  the  Ameri- 
can wilderness  was  exeniplitied,  too,  the  all-grasping  power 
of  national  ambition.  Here,  waving  over  the  same  soil, 
were  found  two  hostile  banners  of  rival  nations,  who 
were  striving  to  wrest  from  each  other  the  dominion  of  a 
country  possessed  and  claimed  by  barbarians.  Here  also 
was  demonstrated  that  code  of  civilized  ethics,  founded  on  the 
reasoning  of  the  schools,  which  taught  the  two  nations  to 
attach  to  themselves  barbarians  opposed  to  each  other  from 
immemorial  fends,  and  to  place  deadly  weapons  in  their 
hands.  Quebec  and  Montreal,  the  French  forts  on  the  most 
important  streams  in  ('anada  and  the  north-western  lakes, 
Oswego  and  Niagara,  Le  Boeuf  and  Duquesne,  were  the 
strong-holds  of  the  French  power  ;  while  the  English  settle- 
ments, during  the  early  period  of  French  colonization,  were 
confined  chiefly  to  the  country  now  embraced  in  Virginia, 
Pennsylvania,  New- York,  and  New-England. 

The  French  and  English  spared  no  pains  to  attach  to  Uieir 
interests  the  confederates  whom  they  found  in  the  wilder- 
ness. On  the  side  of  the  English  were  the  Iroquois,  and  the 
French  were  supported  by  the  race  of  the  Algonquins — bar- 
barian warriors,  whose  power  was  co-extensive  with  the  con- 
tinent and,  in  their  customs  and  institutions  similar,  in  many- 
points,  to  the  ancient  Celtce  of  Britain.  They  exhibited  no- 
ble traits  combined  with  savage  ferocity.  Clothed  with  the 
skins  of  wild  beasts,  living  in  their  retired  villages  made  of 
bark,  under  the  overhanging  boughs  of  the  forest,  cultivating 
little  patches  of  prairie  for  their  corn,  and  acquiring  food  by 
the  chase  or  by  fishing  ;  whose  weapons  of  war  were  the  bow, 
the  rifle,  the  tomahawk  and  the  war-club ;  lying  in  their  wig- 
wams in  indolence  upon  the  banks  of  the  streams,  or  shootmg 
their  canoes  across  the  glassy  lakes  of  the  wilderness  like  me- 
teors through  the  heavens,  leaving  behind  them  a  silver  track, 
unknown  in  their  origin  then,  as  now, — such  men  were  the 
allies  of  France  and  England. 

On  the  side  of  the  English  was  the  confederacy  of  the  Iro- 
quois, called  bv  them  the  Six  Nations.    They  comprised  the 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION. 


13 


of  their 
1  Ameri- 
ig  power 
ime  soil, 
ns,  who 
ion  of  a 
Icre  also 
ed  on  the 
ations  to 
her  from 

in  their 

the  most 
rn  lakes, 
were  the 
ish  settle- 
ion,  were 

Virginia, 

;h  to  iheir 
e  wilder- 
s,  and  the 
ins — bar- 
1  the  con- 
',  in  many 
ibited  no- 
with  the 
made  of 
ultivating 
r  food  by 
e  the  bow, 
their  wig- 
r  shootmg 
;s  like  me- 
ver  track, 
were  the 

>f  the  Iro- 
prised  the 


most  powerful  Indian  league  which  is  known  to  have  existed 
.,,  on  the  continent.     It  consisted  of  the  Onondugas,  the  Cayu- 
gos,  the  Senecas,  the  Otieidas,  and  the  Mohawks  ;  and  in  1712 
the  Tuscaroras  were  adopted  into  the  confederation.      The 
warriors  of  these  tribes  were  men  of  large  stature  and  muscular 
forms.  More  savage  in  their  expression  of  countenance  than  the 
Algonquin  race,  their  determination  seemed  to  mark  every 
feature  of  tiie  liice  and  every  nerve  of  the  body.       Military 
skill,   courage,  shrewdness,  forecast,  energy,  ambition,  and 
eloquence,  were  their  i)rominent  traits.     Atliliated  by  imme- 
morial connexion,  and  having  exercised  the  policy  of  con- 
quest over  the  other  tribes,  they  held  an  extensive  tract  of 
territory  in  their  hands.     They  claimed,  in  fact,  by  patrimony 
or  conquest,  the  whole  of  the  country  "  not  occupied  by  the 
southern    Indians,   the    Sioux,  the   Kenisteneaux,  and   the 
Chippewas,  and  by  the  English  and  French,  as  far  west  as  the 
Mississippi  atid  Lalce  Winnipeg,  as  far  north-west  as  the  wa- 
ters which  unite  this  lake  with  Hudson's  Bay  and  Labrador."* 
In  their  policy  the  Iroquois  appear  to  have  had  not  only  more 
vigor,  but  more  system,  tiian  the  other  Indian  tribes.     Their 
general  interests  were  managed  by  a  grand  council  of  chiefs, 
who  annually  assembled  at  their  central  canton,  Onondaga,  in 
the  state  of  New- York.  The  beautiful  region  of  the  lakes  \vhich 
bear  their  names,  in  that  state,  was  their  favorite  council  ground. 
Each  nation  was  divided  into  three  tribes,  whose  totems  were 
the  tortoise,  the  wolf,  and  the  bear.  All  their  councils  were  con- 
ducted with  the  greatest  decorum,  solemnity,  and  deliberation. 
«In  the  characteristics  of  protound  policy,"  says  Gov.  Clinton 
of  New- York,  in  an  eloquent  Discourse,  "they  surpassed  an 
assembly  of  feudal  barons,   and  were,  perhaps,  not  far  in- 
ferior to  the  great  Amphictyonic  council  of  Greece."     "  The 
senators  of  Yonice,"  says  an  equally  eloquent  writer,t  "  do  not 
appear  with  a  graver  countenance,  and  perhaps  do  not  speak 
with  more  majesty  and  solidity  than  these  ancient  Iroqucses." 

♦  Clinton's  Discourse. 

1  Fatiier  Louis  Hennepin,  one  of  the  most  accomplished  Catholic  missiona- 
r.fis  upon  the  Lakes  during  the  early  period  of  French  colonization,  in  his  work 
entitled,  "  Hennepin's  Voyage  lo  North  America." 


''I 


14 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


U     I'l 


. 


fl 


11     \ 


The  Iroquois  were  like  the  Romans  in  many  points  of  tlieir 
character  and  policy.     Anions:  these  were  their  indomitable 
spirit  of  freedom,  tlicir  martial  energy,  their  mihtary  policy, 
their  lofty  bearinjr,  their  stirring  eloquence,  and  their  uU- 
grasping  ambition.     As  conquests  accumulated,  their  van- 
quished enemies  were  incorporated  into  their  own   tribes, 
to  supply  the   ravages  of  war  ;   and   those  were  kept    in 
rigorous  vassalage.      Tributes  of  wampum,  shell-fish,  and 
other  articles  of  value,  were  periodually  exacted  from  these 
conquered    nations  with  the  utmost  promptitude,  and  the 
penalty  of  death  was  alUxed  to  the  failure  of  their  payment. 
The  warriors  cherished  a  sort  of  Spartan  discipline  through- 
out their  confederacy.     The  young  barbarians  were  urged 
to  emulate,  and  often  advanced  to,  the  dignity  of  their  fath- 
ers.    They  were  taught  to  hunt  the  wild  beasts  almost  be- 
fore their  muscles  were  sufficiently  strong  to  bend  the  bow, 
and  to  undergo  the  deprivations  of  iiunger  and  cold  in  remote 
forests,  in  order  to  harden  them  for  arms.      Their  character 
was  constituted  of  all  those  elements  which  in  civilized  or 
savage  life  produce  success,  founded  on  cunning  or  courage. 
They  were  equally  crafty  and  ferocious.     They  could  crawl, 
unseen,  along  the  track  of  their  enemies,  or  rush  down  upon 
the  French,  in  fearless  bands  of  naked  and  gigantic  warriors. 
The  alledged  ground  of  controversy  with  the  other  tribes, 
on  the  part  of  the  Iroquois,  was  generally  the  violation  of 
boundary  lines,  the  rights  of  embassy,  and  individual  wrongs  ; 
but  the  love  of  dominion  and  glory  stimulated  their  con- 
quests through  the  wilderness.     That  they  regarded  the  in- 
roads of  the  whites  upon  their  territory  with  jealousy,  there 
can  be  no  doubt.     There  is  as  little  doubt  that  their  ancient 
feuds  with  the  Hurons  and  Algonquins,  their  prejudices  and 
their  caprice,   as  well  as  the   policy  which  was  exercised 
towards  them  by  the  French,  induced  them  to  join  the  En- 
glish ;  and  it  is  well  known  that  their  marches  against  the 
French  Colonists  and  the  remote  missionary  posts,  were  like 
the  rushing  of  a  tornado  through  the  forest,    «  We  may  o-uide 
the  English  to  our  Lakes.    We  are  born  free.     We  neither 
depend  on  Onondio  nor  Corlaer,  (France  or  England,"}  said 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION. 


IS 


Haaskouitn,  the  Seneca  chief,  to  I)e  la  IJarro,  in  KiSl.  Fhishes 
of  heroism  occasioiiully  broke  out,  exhihitin,<f  thu  sterne^it  ele- 
ments of  their  character.  An  aged  (Jnonduga  warrior  was 
taken  in  UVJT,  in  an  expedition  of  Frontenac,  and  delivered 
over  to  an  Algonquin  savage,  who  stabbed  hini  with  a 
scalping  knife  for  the  pnrpose  of  ending  his  existence  af- 
ter he  had  inllicted  horrible  tortures.  "  Yon  oiiwht  not  to 
abridge  my  life,''  said  this  Roman  of  the  wilderness,  'Uhat 
you  may  learn  to  die  like  a  man.  For  my  own  part  I 
die  contented,  because  I  know  no  meanness  with  which  to 
reproach  myself." 

On  the  side  of  the  French  was  the  race  of  the  Algonquins. 
This  race  extended  imder  ditferent  names  from  the  head  of 
Lake  Erie  along  the  upper  Lakes,  north  to  Lake  Winnipeg 
and  Hudson's  Bay,  and  .soutJi  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river! 
They  were  also  afliliatcd  with  the  tribes  east  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  their  influence  extended  to  the  savjiges  who  roam- 
ed the  hills  of  New  England.  In  the  league  of  these  two 
powerful  families  there  were,  liowever,  two  exceptions.  The 
Wyandots  or  Hurons  were  of  L-oquois  stock,  but  from  un- 
known causes'"  they  had  severed  from  their  chain  of  tribes, 
and  attached  themselves  to  the  French ;  while  the  Ottao-a- 
mies  or  Foxes,  who  were  originally  of  the  Algonquin  liunUy, 
took  part  with  the  English. 

Tiie  friendsiiip  of  the  Algonquin  race  for  the  French 
seems  to  have  been  founded  on  obvious  causes.  It  wfis  the 
studied  policy  of  the  French  to  .secure  their  good- will,  and 
solemn  compacts  were  sought  to  be  confirmed  with  them  by 
their  French  allies.  The  French  explorers,  traders,  and  mis- 
sionaries,  advanced  to  their  remotest  villages  in  the  prosecii- 
tion  of  their  several  objects.  They  lodged  with  them  in 
their  camps,  attended  their  councils,  hunting  parties,  and 
feasts  ;  paid  respect  to  their  c-remonies,  and  were  joined  in 
the  closer  bonds  of  blood.      The  natural  pliancy  of  the 

•  Charlevoix,  in  his  journal,  gives  an  account  of  the  cause  of  this   feud    but 
doos  not  vouch  for  its  accuracy.    It  was  founded,  he  states,  in  venatical  rivalry 
A  stake  was  pledged  for  siiccji-s  in  hunting,  at.d  one  party  returned  to  camp 
loaded  with  the  flosh  of  elks,  while  lh->  other  wa«  unsuccessful. 


';ii 


IG 


IIIMTOIIV   OK    MU'IllnAN. 


French  chnracfer  It-d  them  into  frequent  ami  kind  asso- 
ciation with  the  s;ivai,'es,  wliile  tli(>  Mn<r|ish  were  cold  and 
forl)iddinir  ill  thnir  manners.  |?..,sitl.x  tli.-  Jesuit  inissionnrics 
exerted  no  small  inllnenre  in  strenjr(li,;i,ing  the  friendship 
oftho  Indians  for  the  Tieneh.  They  ereeted  little  chapels 
in  their  territory,  carpeted  with  Indian  mats  uiid  surmounted 
l>y  the  cross,  took  loiij^jonriu-ys  throiiirh  tiie  wilderness,  per- 
formed the  ceremonies  of  their  elMireli  in  their  loinr  hjadc 
rohes,  and  showed  them  paiiitiiiirs  and  senlnlured  miafrcs, 
which  the  sav.iires  viewed  with  superstitious  uwe.  j\dded  to 
this,  they  practised  all  the  ollices  oi'  kiiuhiess  niid  sympathy 
for  the  sick,  and  lield  up  the  criieilix  to  the  fadini^  vision  of 
luaiiy  a  dyiiiij  neophytt(. 

In  KkIS,  a  new  orj^anization  was  cllected  in  tlio  social  sys- 
tern  of  Canada.     The  Marquis  d'  Arircnson  was  appointed 
Governor-general,  and  during  the  following  summer,  l.aval 
Abbe  de  Montigny,  titular  IJishop  of  IVtrie,  arrived  at  Que- 
bec, with  a  brief  from  the  I'ope,  by  which  he  was  constituted 
Apostolic  vicar.     The  condition  of  the  colony,  however,  con- 
tinued to  be  much  dt'pressed.     The  Company,  occupied  by 
their  own  projects  of  aggrandizement  through  the  fur  trade, 
made  but  little  exertion  for  its  substantial  advancement :  and 
its  associates,  reduced  at  hust  to  the  uumher  of  forty,  relin- 
quished the  tratlic  li^r  the  scignioral  acknowledgment  of  one 
thousand  beaver  skins.     It  was  also  at  the  same  time  much 
neglected  by  the  parent  government.      The  Iroquois,  who 
had  urged  a  destructive  war  upon  the  Hurons  and  Algon- 
quins  on  the  borders  of  the  great  lakes,  seemed  jiow  deter- 
mined to  undermine  the  power  of  their  allies,  the  French, 
mid,  if  practicable,  to  uproot  them  from  the  continent ;  and 
hostile  bands  of  their  tribes  Iniiig  upon  the  borders  of  the 
F.ench   settlements.     They  had,  in  Diet,  advanced  so  far  as 
to  massacre  a  number  of  the  settlers  on  the  Island  of  Mon- 
treal, and  kept  Quebec  in  a  continual  state  of  alarm. 

While  the  colony  was  in  this  condition,  the  Governor  re- 
quested to  be  recalled  on  account  of  ill  health ;  and  in  1G61 
he  was  succeeded  by  the  Baron  d'  Avangour,  aman  of  extra- 
ordinary energy  and  the  most  inflexible  decision.     On  his 


CANADIAN    ror.ONIZATION. 


17 


accession  to  odico,  the  Oovcnior  prosnifcd  (o  Mm  Kinjr  of 
FmruM!,  wlio  seemed  to  be  i^i„)rani  of  its  actual  position  and 
resources,  such  favorable  views  of  the  country  a:i  to  induce 
hnn  to  order  a  reinforcement  of  (bur  htmdred  troops  with  tho 
necessary  supplies  for  the  Colonists  ;  and  it  was  j,r..bal)|y  thi^j 
fact  whicli  saved  them  from  entire  destruction.  J{y  that 
timely  aid  they  were  placed  in  n  condition  to  practise  ngri- 
cidturc  to  some  extent,  which  had  before  been  neglected  from 
the  fear  of  tho  savaces. 

The  (Company  of  New  France  had  onliri^Iy  failed  in  fulfil- 
ling the  objects  of  their  charter.     They  had  neither  pushed 
their  settlements  far  into  the  interior,  nor  practised  husbandry 
with  any  considerable  success.  At  length  they  surrendered  it  to 
the  crown,  and  in  1004  its  privileges  were  transferred  to  the 
«  C^ompany  of  tho  West  Indies."     'J'he  whole  policy  of  tho 
French  colony  in  Canada  had,   in  fact,  been  injudiciously 
framed.     They  had  no  clearly  deOiied  jurispnidenre,   and 
were  rent  into  factions  comjjosed  of  the  parties  of  the  Gover- 
nor, the  Bishop,  and  the  Jesuits,  each  of  which  was  anxious  to 
supplant  the  other  in  power.     The  state  of  colonial  morals  was 
necessarily  loose,  because  a  portion  of  the  emigrants  was  taken 
from  the  idle  and  corrupt  classes  in  France.     A  council,  how- 
ever, was  soon  constituted  for  the  administration  of  its  affairs 
comprised  of  tho  Governor-General,  Intendant-General,  the 
Bishop,  and  some  others,  who  were  removable  at  the  will  of 
the  Governor ;  and  the  superior  of  the  Jesuits  presided  at  this 
council   while  sitting  as  a   Court  of  Justice.     Forts  were 
erected  on  the  principal  streams  in  Canada,  where  it  was 
thought  they  might  be  required  in  order  to  keep  the  Iroquois  in 
check,  and  in  1(508  the  affairs  of  the  French  interest  in  Ca- 
nada seem  to  have  been  much  improved.     Reinforcements 
had  arrived  from  the  West  Indies,  and  a  number  of  officers, 
to  whom  had  been  granted  lands  with  the  rights  o(  seigneurs 
settled  in  the  Canadian  territory.     The  colonial  moral's,  how- 
ever, were  not  improved  by  the  importation  of  about  three 
hundred  women  of  licentious  character,  who  were  sent  out 
by  the  French  government.     These  were  soon  disposed  of 
in  marriage. 


18 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


I     r 

It 


m 


r  ■ .' 


The  Counf,  tie  r'rontcnac,  a  noblenum  cf  tlistiniEfuishrcI 
family,  and  of  most  arbitrary  but  energetic  character,  was 
soon  invested  with  the  administration  of  the  French  colonics  ; 
and  he  made  extraordinary  efforts  to  develope  the  resources 
of  the  country,  and  to  build  up  the  scattered  colonial  esta- 
blislmients.  During  that  period  the  territory  along  the  lakes 
Erie,  Huron,  Michigan,  and  Superior,  was  explored.  Com- 
pacts of  peace  were  confirmed  with  the  Indian  tribes  ;  a  por- 
tion of  the  Hurons  were  settled  at  Michilimackinac ;  and  a 
])arty  of  the  Iroquois,  who  had  been  converted  to  the  Catholic 
fliith,  was  established  at  St.  Louis  near  Montreal.  A  council 
of  the  principal  chiefs  in  that  quarter  was  held  at  the  Falls  of 
St.  Mary  in  Michigan,  which  resulted  in  a  stipulation  that 
the  French  should  occupy  that  post;  and  a  cross  was  there 
erected,  bearin<r  the  arms  of  France. 

Expeditions  were  also  despatched  to  the  more  remote  west, 
for  the  purpose  ot  discovering  the  resources  of  the  country. 
In  1672,  M.  Talon,  a  former  Intendant-general,  who  had  done 
important  service  to  the  French  interest  by  extending  its 
power  to  the  remote  points  of  Canada,  concluded,  by  reports 
from  the  Indians,  that  a  great  river,  called  by  them  the  Michi- 
s^pi'o,  flowed  from  the  extreme  north-west  in  a  southern 
course  ;  and  he  soon  projected  an  enterprise  for  its  discovery. 
For  that  object  he  employed  M.  Joliet,  a  merchant  of  Quebec, 
and  Father  Joseph  Marquette,*  a  native  of  Lann  in  Picardy, 
descended  from  a  fomily  of  distinguished  influence  abroad, 
who  had  travelled  far  into  the  Indian  territory,  and  from  his 
office  as  a  missionary,  was  qualified  to  gain  the  confidence  of 
the  savages,  to  advance  into  that  quarter  on  an  exploratory  torn*. 
The  party  soon  proceeded  to  Lake  Michigan.  Crossing  the 
country  to  the  river  Wisconsin,  they  descended  that  stream  un- 
til they  reached  the  Mississippi.  Floating  down  the  river  in  a 
canoe,  they  soon  arrived  at  certain  villages  of  the  Illinois  In- 
dians, where  thi^y  v.'ere  treated  with  much  hospitality  by  the 
savages.  They  afterwards  passed  over  to  Arkansas.  Being 
convinced  that  the  Mississippi  flowed  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
they  were  obliged  to  return,  from  the  exhausted  state  of  their 

♦  Cliarlevoix 


'I  n 


CANADIAN   COLONIZATION. 


19 


provisions,  and  having  ascended  tlie  Mississippi  to  its  conflu- 
ence with  the  Illinois,  they  paddled  up  that  stream,  and  cross- 
ed over  to  Michigan.  At  tliis  place  they  separated  ;  Joliet  re- 
turned to  Quebec,  and  Father  Marquette  remained  among 
the  Indians. 

In  1678  Robert  de  la  Salle,  accompanied  by  the  Clievalier 
Tonti,  arrived  at  Quebec.     He  had  previously  resided  in 
Canada,  where  he  had  cultivated  a  friendship  with  M.  de 
Frontenac,  and  he  soon  embarked  in  the  enterprise  of  disco- 
\-ery.     Associated  with  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  a  Flemish 
llecollet,  and  M.  Tonti,  he  employed  a  portion  of  his  time  in 
exploring  the  country,  forming  amicable  leagues  with  the 
savages,  and  prosecuting  the  fur  trade.     The  party  remained 
during  the  winter  of  that  year  at  Fori  Niagara,  which  he 
founded.     In  the  summer,  building  the  first  ship  which  ever 
navigated  Lake  Erie,  called  the  Grifiin,  tliey  sailed  across 
that  lake,  and  passed  up  to  Michilimackinac    Hennepin  tra- 
versed the  greater  part  of  Illinois,  and  reaching  the  Missis- 
sippi, ascended  that  stream  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  which 
he  named.     There  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians, 
robbed,  and  carried  to  their  villages.     Hennepin,  however, 
soon  made  his  escape ;  and  returning  to  the  colonies,  he  cm- 
barked  for  France,  where  he  published  a  journal  of  his  tra- 
vels.    About  three  years  were  spent  by  these  intrepid  adven- 
turers in  crossing  the  vast  wilderness  around  the  lakes,  and 
encountering  the  most  formidable  dangers  and  hardships. 
On  the  2d  of  February,  1682,  La  Salle  reached  the  Missisippi 
River,  arrived  at  Arkansas,  of  which  he  took  a  formal  posses- 
sion in  the  name  of  tlie  King  of  France,  and  proceeded  on- 
ward, until  the  expanding  surfece  of  its  waters  showed  where 
it  met  the  blue  of  the  ocean  through  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
The  glorious  news  of  the  discovery  of  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, which  had  long  been  a  desirable  object  to  the  French 
Government,  opened  a  fresh  channel  of  hope  to  the  Canadian 
colony. 

The  progress  ofLa  Salle  through  those  immense  regions 
was  attended  with  remarkable  and  touching  incidents.  Dis- 
appointed in  his  progress,  from  not  having  received  supplies 


!f-;f 


ill 


i:. 


i  liH 


i  I 


11  ^r 


20 


HISTOHY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


from  Green  Bay,  he  was  obliged  to  encamp  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ilhnois,  where  he  built  a  fort,  which,  from   that  circum- 
stance he  named  Creve  Coeur,  tlie  Broken  Heart.     Although 
he  had  found  the  great  body  of  the  tribes  along  liis  cou?sc 
friendly,  and  had  pmchased  from  them  a  large  quantity  of 
corn,  he  met  some  obstruction  from  the  nation  of  the  Illinois. 
These,  in  common  with  many  of  the  I^ake  tribes,  were  at  that 
time  at  war  with  the  Iroquois,  and  the  former  expected  the 
assistance  of  the  French  ;  but  from  prudential  motives  this 
aid  was  not  granted.     La  .S.-xlle,  indeed,  considered  the  termi- 
nation of  the  war  as  essential  to  his  safety.     The  pacific  poli- 
cy which  he  advocated  was  construed  into  treachery  by  the 
suspicion  of  the  Illinois,  aided  by  the  perfidy  of  some  of  his 
own  men  ;  and  he  was,  in  formal  council,  sentenced  to  death. 
Here  broke  forth  the  courage  of  his  character.     Unarmed,  he 
applied  to  tlie  camp  of  the  Illinois,  defended  his  conduct,  de- 
clared his  innocence  of  the  charges  alleged  against  him',  de- 
manded the  author,  and  vindicated  thepropxiety  of  terminat- 
ing the  war.     His  boldness  and  eloquence  prevailed.     The 
calumet  was  smoked,  and  a  treaty  of  peace  concluded.     The 
death    of    this    distinguished   explorer  of   the  Mississippi 
was  inglorious.     When  he  had  traversed  that  river,  erected 
several  forts  on  its  banks,  named  Louisiana  in  honor  of  the 
French  king  ;  after  he  had  laid  the  foundations  of  Kaskaskia, 
and  Kahokia  in  Illinois,  and  departed  for  France  in  order  to 
fit  out  expeditions  for  a  permanent  colonial  establishment  at 
its  mouth  near  the  present  site  of  New  Orleans,  he  was  assas- 
sinated by  his  own  engages,  while  on  his  way  over  land  for 
his  fort  upon  the  Illii:ois,  on  the  19th  of  March,  1687.  «  Thus 
fell,"  says  Father  Hennepin,  his  eloquent  companion  and  eu- 
logist, '<  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle,  a  man  of  considerable  merit, 
constant  in  adversity,  intrepid,  generous,  courteous,  ingenious', 
learned,  and  capable  of  every  thing.     He  had  formerly  been 
of  the  society  of  .Tesus  for  ten  or  eleven  years,  and  quitted  the 
order  with  consent  of  his  superiors.     He  once  showed  me  a 
letter  written  at  Rome  by  the  General  of  tlie  order,  testifying 
that  the  Sieur  de  la  Salle  had  behaved  liimself  prudently  in 


CANADIAN    COLONIZATION. 


21 


every  thing,  without  giving  the  least  occasion  to  be  suspected 
guilty  of  a  venial  sin."* 

What  a  contrast  is  presented,  in  the  solitary  condition  of 
the  Mississippi  at  the  period  when  la  Salle  descended  that 
stream,  one  hundred  and  forty-five  years  ago,  and  the  present 
time  !     The  Amazon  of  the  North  American  wilderness  and 
the  great  highway  of  western  commerce,  stretching  its  broad 
expanse  thousands  of   miles   longitudinally,    through    the 
whole  length  of  the  inhabitable  territory  of  the  west,  from  the 
cold  regions  of  the  north— the  land  of  the  grizly  bear,  which 
delights  to  live  among  the  snows— to  the  hot  clime  of  Louis- 
iana, the  domain  of  the  alligator  and  the  cotton  plantation, 
where    few    but  slaves  venture  contact  with  the  burning 
rays  of  the  sun,  it  waters  the   widest  and  richest  valley  on 
the  earth.     To  that  remote  region,  where  sickly  exhalations 
rise  from  the  stagnant  fens  and  mouldering  forests,  and  fill  the 
graves  along  its  banks,  emigration  is  fast  pressing.     Cities  are 
studding  its  shores.      Harvests   are  gilding  its  fields.     Its 
waters  are  ploughea  by  a  thousand  keels  of  boatmen,  loving 
life  less  than  gain.     Hundreds  of  steamboats,  laden  with  rich 
freight  for  New  Orleans,  the  metropolis  of  its  trade,  not  ex- 
ceeded in  magnitude  and  splendor  by  those  of  the  eastern 
states,  shoot  up  its  rapid  current ;  and  means  are  now  in  pro- 
gress which  will  soon  float  the  commerce  of  the  North-west- 
ern lakes,  in  a  continuous  line  of  navigation,  through  its 
channel  to  the  Atlantic.f 

♦  For  Hennepin's  account  of  La  Salle's  expedition,  see  A  rchaeologia  America- 
na,  whern  it  is  contained  at  lenglii. 

t  A  project  will  be  soon  carried  out,  to  connect  the  Fox  river  of  Green  Bay, 
witli  the  Wisconsin  and  the  Mississippi. 


M 


T    1? 


lHaTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  II. 


:1J 
I  I! 


A(l.nimsfration  ol  Dononvillo— Iroqueia  prisoners  sent  in  chains  to  the  French 

Ga  leys-Policy  ot    Tvomharonk-Character  of  the  Colnnists-The   Jo.„it3 

--Canadian  J;.r.spr,uience-Pur  Traders-Coureurs   des  Bois-Di.stribuUo,. 

'      Canada  '"""'''"  Asriculturc-Currency-Sociul  Condition    of 

In  1683  the  population  of  the  Canadian  colonies  did  not 
exceed  nine  thousand.  The  principal  check  to  their  progress 
sprang  from  the  hostility  of  the  Iroquois,  who,  from  time  to 
time,  hovered  aroimd  their  settlements,  seeking  every  opportu- 
nity for  massacre  and  devastation.  The  JMarquis  of  Denon- 
ville  was,  ho  ^ever,  soon  ajipointed  Governor-general,  and  he 
proceeded  immediately  to  Cataraqui,  with  about  two  thousand 
troops.  F'om  the  spirit  of  uncompromising  hatred  which  was 
evmced  by  the  Irocpiois  towards  the  French,  Denonville  was 
determined  to  strike  a  decisive  blow.  An  order  was  according- 
ly received  to  condemn  to  the  galleys  all  able-bodied  warriors 
of  those  tribes  who  were  taken  prisoners  ;  and,  to  the  black  dis- 
grace of  Denonville,  a  number  of  the  Iroquois  chiefs  were 
decoyed  by  the  Jesuit  de  Lamberville  to  Fort  Frontenac,  load- 
ed with  irons,  and  sent  to  the  galleys  of  Marseilles, 

About  that  period  a  treaty  was  signed  at  London  between 
France  and  England,  by  which  it  was  stij)ulated  that  wh:it- 
ever  differences  might  arise  between  the  two  governments 
abroad,  neutral  relations  should  be  preserved  by  their  subjects 
in  North  America.  Notwithstanding  that  treaty,  and  the  re- 
monstrances of  tlie  Governor  of  New- York,  v.dio  claimed  the 
Iroquois  as  English  subjects,  Denonville  determined  to  build 
a  fort  at  Niagara  in  their  own  territory,  when  the  passions  of 
the  Iroquois  were  maddened  against  the  French  from  the 
fact  that  their  chiefs  had  been  seized  by  stratagem  and  sent 
in  chains  to  the  French  galleys.  Scarcely,  thercfore,  had  the 
determination  been  made  known,  when  Fort  Frontenac  was 
attaclccd  by  the  Iroquois,  and  the  corn  in  tlie  neighborhood 


I  u 


EARLY    COXDITION    OF   ('AXADA. 


23 


binned.  A  Frencli  barque,  lad.ni  witli  provisions,  was  aho 
captured  on  Lake  Ontario  by  five  lumdred  of  their  canoes 
and  on  the  side  of  the  French,  tlic  Abcnaqtiies  made  a  for- 
midable descent  npon  the  Iroquois  of  the  Sore],  and  pushed 
their  bloody  marches  against  the  En-lisii  villacrcs  toward  the 
east. 

During  that  period  a  council  was  held  by  the  Iroquois  with 
Denonville,  in  whicli  the  policy  of  those  tribes  was  advocated 
byfive  hundred  of  their  warriors ;  while  twelve  hundred  of  their 
armefl  bands  were  awaiting  the  issue  near  Montreal,  ready  to 
fall  upon  the  French  settlements,  in  case  a  requisition  was 
not  complied  with,  that  their  chiefs,  who  had  been  sent  to  the 
galleys  of  France,  should  be  returned  to  the  wilderness. 

The  ratification  of  a  treaty  was,  however,  prevented  by  the 
deep  policy  of  Kondiaronl.,  or  Le  Rat,  a  Huron  chief,  amono- 
the  first  in  council  and  in  arms.  Kondiaronk  disliked  the 
t  rench,  but  he  considered  their  alliance  as  useful  in  aidin- 
him  agamst  the  Iroquois,  towards  whom  he  had  sworn  eternal 
war  He  also  hated  the  English  as  the  allies  of  the  Iroquois  • 
but  he  found  it  profitable  to  maintain  the  semblance  of  good- 
will toward  the  latter  nation  so  long  as  he  could  sell  his  furs 
to  them  with  more  advantage  than  to  the  French. 

At  this  crisis  occurred  a  singular  fact,  which  "completely 
changed   the  policy  of  the  Indian  tribes.     The  alliance  of 
Denonvine  had  been  accepted  by  Kondiaronk,  on  condition 
that  the  French  should  give  their  aid  in  the  destruction  of 
the  Iroquois.     Acting  on  this  assurance,  the  cliief  left  Mi- 
chilimackinac    on   the   northern    part  of  the   peninsula  of 
Michigan,  with  a  hundred  warriors,  in  order  to  attack  their 
camps.     At  fort  Frontenac,  he  v.as  informed  by  Denonville 
hac  a  treaty  ofpeace  had  been  made  with  the  Iroquois,  and 
hat  It  was  necessary  that  he  should  return  to  Michicran  with 
his  warriors.     "  The  request  is  reasonable,"  said  Kondiaronk, 
while  his  eye  kindled  with  rage  that  he  had  not  been  advised 
of  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  witli  the  Iroqnoi.^,  and  that  the 
lergue  made  with  him  by  the  French  had  been  broken 

Instead,  tlierefore,  of  returning  to  Michilimackinac  he  re- 
paired to  the  "cascades,"  about  thirty  miles  above  Montreal, 


!'i 


24 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


ii  I 


!        # 


where  it  was  ascertained  tliat  the  Iroquois  deputies  would 
pass  with  their  hostages.  Here  he  laid  for  some  days  in 
ambush  with  his  warriors.  The  deputies  soon  arrived  with 
forty  young  savages,  and  as  they  landed  from  their  canoes, 
Kondiaronk  took  them  by  surprise,  massacred  a  i)art,  and 
made  the  remainder  prisoners.  At  the  same  time  he  informed 
the  captured  Iroquois,  that  he  was  directed  by  the  French 
Governor  to  occupy  that  position,  and  to  attack  a  party  of 
Iroquois  v/ho  were  expected  .-  :•"  tnje  ihuc  way  for  the  pur- 
pose of  descending  upon  the  '  '  settlements,  and  to  con- 
duct the  prisoners  to  Montreal.  ^  ae  Iroquois  were,  of  course, 
amazed,  for  they  deemed  themselves  to  have  been  the  victims 
of  perfidy.  Having  related  the  object  of  their  mission  to 
Kondiaronk,  who  feigned  astonishment,  and  alleged  that  he 
also  had  been  the  subject  of  treachery,  the  Iroquois  prisoners 
were  released,  with  ammunition  sufficient  to  defend  themselves 
on  their  way  back,  wliile  their  hearts  were  filled  with  grati- 
tude at  the  humanity  of  the  llurons,  and  they  vowed  eternal 
war  against  the  French.  One  prisoner  of  the  Iroquois  was, 
however,  retained,  with  whom  Kondiaronk  returned  to  Michi- 
limackinac  ;  and  the  French  commandant  at  that  post,  igno- 
rant of  the  proceedini's  of  Denonville,  condemned  this  prisoner 
to  be  shot. 

An  aged  Iroquois  slave,  who  belonged  to  Kondiaronk,  was 
permitted  to  witness  the  execution  of  his  countryman,  while 
the  circumstances  were  withheld  from  his  knowledge.  This 
Iroquois  slave  was  then  told  to  go  back  to  his  tribes,  and  re- 
late the  barbarous  perfidy  of  the  French.  The  anger  of  the 
Iroquois  was,  of  course,  raised  to  the  highest  pitch,  M.  De- 
nonville, when  he  heard  of  the  act,  declared  that  if  Kon- 
diaronk was  taken,  he  should  be  executed;  while  the  Iro- 
quois were  still  expected  to  consummate  the  league.  But 
the  convictions  fastened  upon  the  minds  of  the  Iroquois  by 
Kondiaronk  were  not  to  be  removed.  When,  therefore, 
they  reached  Montreal,  where  the  Governor  was  waiting 
their  arrival,  they  came  net,  as  Denonville  expected,  with  the 
calumet  and  the  belt  of  wampum — emblems  of  peace.  A 
band  of  twelve  hundred  warriors  landed  on  the  upper  end 


i 


EARLY    CONDITION    OF   CANADA. 


25 


It,  aud 


of  the  island,  burned  the  houses  and  corn-fields,  massacred 
men,  women,  and  children,  cut  in  pieces  about  a  hundred  re- 
gular troops  and  fifty  Hurons  who  were  sent  to  defend  the 
entrance  to  the  town,  took  two  hundred  prisoners,  and  then 
embarked  in  their  canoes.     The  impression  which  had  been 
stamped  on  their  minds  by  Kondiarouk  could  not  be  effaced, 
and  their  revenge  was  fully  glutted  with  the  blood  of  the 
French  at  subsequent  periods.     This  masterpiece  of  savage 
policy  turned  the  current  of  f^rench  plans  and  prospects— a 
policy  which,  in  blackness  and  diplomatic  address,  rivals  tlie 
basest  intrigue  of  a  civilized  court. 

The  French  government,  after  it  had  once  obtained  a  foot- 
hold in  Canada,  pushed  its  enterprises  into  the  interior  ;  and 
the  progress  of  its  settlements  was  attended  with  all  the  suf- 
ferings connected  with  the  enmity  of  the  Iroquois  and  the 
hardships  of  a  trackless  wilderness.     The  colonies  which  had 
been  sent  out  from  France,  were  comprised  mainly  of  gentle- 
men in  narrow  circumstances,  to  whom  lordships  had  been 
granted,  a  large  number  of  adventurers  of  luimbler  preten- 
sions, somewhat   volatile   and  thriftless  in  their  character, 
and  missionaries  of  the  Roman  Church,     There  were  three 
prominent  and  distinct  orders  in  the  religious  establishments  of 
Canada.    The  Jesuits  comprised  the  first,  and  consisting  of  gen- 
tlemen of  influence,  whose  minds  had  ripened  in  the  mould- 
ering  cloisters  of  the  church,  their  powers  were  paramount  to 
all  others  in  the  administration  of  the  colonial  policy.    '<  Th.ey 
sought,"  says  La  Hontan,  "  to  dive  down  to  tiie  bottom  of 
men's  minds."*    Artful,  accomplished,  learned,  polished,  they 
were  what  the  Jesuits  have  been  in  every  age ;  strivino-  to 
mould  the  affairs  of  the  colony  to  their  own  purposes,  "and 
thus  to  wield  a  political  influence  for  ecclesiastical  ends, 
they  watched,  witfi  lynx-eyed  vigilance,  all  the  affiurs  and 
relations  of  individuals  in  the  state  as  well  as  the  church. 
From  their  extensive  knowledge  and  address,  they  devoted 
themselves  to  the  education  of  tlie  youth  of  the  colony,  so  far 
as  they  were  educated  at  all ,  and  were  the  most  active  agents 


iri 


♦  La  Hontnn's  Voyofpa. 

4 


i 


26 


IIISTOHY    OF    MICHIGAN'. 


■i    i! 


!    ; 


I 


I  n 


in  the  exploration  of  the  wilderness.  The  priests  were  mora 
local  in  their  hubits,  and  their  eflbrts  were  mainly  confined 
to  the  ministrations  of  the  altar ;  while  the  RccoUcts,  a  very 
humble  class  of  ecclesiastics,  daily  practised  self  debasement, 
and  assumed  vows  of  perpetual  humiliation  and  poverty. 
Ill  the  more  remote  settlements,  rude  log-huts  were  built  and 
n  iii\Y  fields  were  cleared.  Cluebec  and  Montreal  were  the 
central  points  of  colonial  entcrprize  and  influence,  and  into 
these  settlements  was  transfused  something  of  the  character 
which  belonged  to  the  parent  government  abroad.  Slight  co- 
lonial establishments  were  erected  along  the  banks  of  the 
streams  and  lakes  for  a  three-fold  purpose— trade,  religion, 
and  military  defence.  Small  forts,  surrounded  with  pickets, 
and  constructed  from  the  rude  means  at  hand,  were  built  up 
to  protect  the  Jesuits,  who  had  their  chapels  near  them ;  and 
they  were  also  used  as  depAts  of  the  fur  trade. 

The  wars — which  soon  broke  out  between  the  French  and 
English  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  dominion  of  the 
country— no  less  than  the  hostility  of  the  Iroquois, soon  made  it 
advisable  to  re-appoint  the  Count  do  Frontenac  to  the  chief 
command ;  and  in  October  of  1689  he  arrived  at  duebec,  with 
the  Iroquois  chiefs,  who  had  been  sent  to  the  French  galley? 
Notwithstanding  the  energy  and  address  of  Frontenac,  little 
was  effected  in  securing  the  friendship  of  tlie  Five  Nations, 
but  more  vigorous  measures  were  prosecuted  to  advance  the 
French  settlements,  and  to  secure  the  cultivation  of  the  lands. 
At  the  same  time  the  fur  trade  was  carried  on  with  increased 
success ;  and  the  military  posts,  which  had  been  established  on 
the  upper  lakes,  were  strengthened.  In  1098  peace  was  de- 
clared between  France  and  England,  and  the  English  and 
French  governors  entered  into  arrangements  by  which  ami- 
cable relations  were  for  some  time  preserved  with  each  other, 
and  also  with  the  Indians. 

During  the  period  of  th?  French  domination  in  Canada,  its 
jurisdiction  was  somewhat  extraordinary.  Quebec  and  Mon- 
treal were  not  only  the  seat  of  the  fur  trade,  but  also  of  civil, 
military,  and  ecclesiastical  influence.  The  machinery  of  the 
colonial  government  was,  in  fact,  made  up  of  the  civil  magis- 


EAULV  CONDITION  OP  CANADA. 


27 


t  acy,  the  military  power,  and  the  clergy.     Althouah  the 
Cohtumc  de  Paris  was  adopted  as  the  law  of  the  hitul    the 
adniuHstration  of  the  colonies  was  probably  founded  more 
upon  temporary  expediency   than  clearly  defined   justice 
1  here  is,  doubtless,  great  inconvenience  attondino- the  exer- 
cise of  a  compact  and  well-organized  frame  of  jurisprudence 
in  a  new  colony,  separated  from  the  parent  state  by  three 
thousand  miles  of  ocean,  and  over  a  people  scattered  thronah 
a  trackless  and  unbounded  forest.     The  administration  of  jus- 
tice was  accordingly  unsettled  and  arbitrary.     The  command- 
ants of  the  nnlitary  posts  in  the  remote  points  of  colonial  ju- 
nsdiction,  were  recognized  as  general  supervisors  of  the  colo- 
nists around  their  forts,  and  they  were  invested  with  a  sum- 
mary authority,  subject,  however,  to  the  colonial  government- 
comprising  the  legislative,   the  judici;.],  and  the  executive 
powers.     This  authority  was,  however,  in  most  instances  ex- 
ercised with  great  mildness  ;  and  the  French  of  that  re-ion 
look  back  upon  the  period  as  the  golden  age  of  jurispru- 

The  French  Colonial  government  was  under  the  general 
supervision  of  the  Governor-general,  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  country.     Subject  to  his  general  power,  there  were  also 
Intendants,  under-governors,  and  a  council.    The  Governor- 
general  of  Quebec  was  allowed  an  annual  salary  of  twenty 
thousand  crowns,  which  included  the  support  of  a  company 
of  guards  for  his  own  protection,  and  also  that  of  the  fort 
lo  this  sum  was  added  a  thousand  crowns,  which  was  the 
annual  present  made  to  him  by  the  "  Farmers  of  the  Beaver 
Skins."    He  also  had  the  disposal  of  all  the  military  posts  and 
could  bestow  commissions  on  whom  he  pleased,  with  the  ap- 
probation of  the  King,  excepting  particular  governorships,  or 
the  place  of  a  Lord-lieutenant  of  the  province  or  the  mayor  of 
any  town.     He  was  also  empowered  to  make  certain  con- 
ditional grants  to  the  inhabitants  all  over  Canada,  with   the 
confirmation  of  the  Intendant,  to  give  twenty-five  licenses  a 
year  to  those  whom  he  might  select  for  the  purpose  of  tradino- 
with  the  savages  ;  and  his  criminal  jurisdiction  extended  to  the 
right  of  suspending  executions  against  cri  minals.     By  this  re- 


28 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


I    I 


■  i 


I 


I  Hi 


prieve  he  min^ht  procure  a  pardon.*  He  was,  however,  not  au- 
thorized to  dispose  of  the  king's  money  without  the  consent 
of  the  hitendaut,  who  alone  had  the  power  to  draw  it  'rom 
the  naval  *  usury.  Beside  these  rights,  the  Governor-ge- 
neral was  invested  with  certain  privileges,  among  which  was 
the  exemption  from  duty  on  all  his  wines  and  other  provisions 
received  from  France. 

The  Supreme  Council  of  Canada  was  a  judicial  body,  but 
when  any  complex  question  came  up  before  them,  they  ge- 
nerally required  the  aid  of  the  Jesuits,  who  were,  without  ex- 
ception, gentiemeu  of  extensive  and  accurate  knowledge. 
This  body  had  the  right  of  conveying  their  places  to  their 
heirs  with  the  approbation  of  the  king.  In  making  treaties 
with  foreign  powers  and  the  Indian  tribes,  the  aid  of  the  Je- 
suits was  also  required,  because  they  were  in  most  instances 
acquainted  with  the  topography  of  the  country,  the  princi- 
ples of  international  law,  and  they  had,  moreover,  great  influ- 
ence with  the  Indians.  The  influence  of  the  Jesuits  breathed 
through  every  department  of  the  colonial  government. 

When  the  Baron  La  Hontan  visited  Quebec  in  1684,  the 
sovereign  council,  according  to  his  statement,  consisted  of 
twelve  counsellors,  who  constituted  the  supreme  judicature, 
and  decided  causes  without  appeal.  At  that  time  no  advo- 
cates or  attorneys  appeared  in  court,  and  the  litigant  parties 
argued  their  own  causes.  The  result  was,  that  suits  were 
quickly  brought  to  a  termination,  and  no  court  fees  or  other 
charges  were  demanded.  The  judges  were  allowed  four 
hundred  livres  a  year  from  the  crown,  and  they  also  "  had  a 
dispensation,"  says  La  Honfan,  <'of  not  wearing  the  robe  and 
the  cap."t  Besides  these  officers,  there  was  a'so  a  liieutenant- 
general,  both  civil  and  military,  an  Attorney-general,  a  Chief- 
Justice  in  Eyre,  and  a  Grand  Provost.:}:  The  Governor's  an- 
nual salary  was  a  thousand  crowns,  which  he  increased  in 
some  degree  by  engaging  in  the  fur  trade.  The  pay  of  the 
inferior  oflicers  was  small.  The  mayor  of  Quebec  was  al- 
lowed a  salary  of  six  hundred  crowns,  the  Governor  of  Mon- 


•  Charlevoix's  .Toiimal. 


t  La  Hontdn. 


i  Ibid. 


i   » i 


(    V 


KAULY    CONDITION    OF   CANADA. 


29 


trenl  two  thousand,  the  Govornor  of  Trois  Rivieres  a  thou- 
sand ;  a  captain  h'ld  a  hundred  and  twenty  livres  a  month  a 
lieutenant  ninety,  and  a  common  sol  J.jr's  pay  was  six  sous  a 
day. 

The  dazzlinjr  hopes  of  gold  and  gems  in  the  wilderness 
having  faded  from  the  eyes  of  the  French  king,  the  attention 
of  his  colonies  in  Canada  was  directed  to  the  fur  trade.     A 
large  body  of  ad  venturous  and  indigent  men,  taken  from  those 
classes  who  had  no  employment  at  home,  had  emigrated  from 
France,  to  invest  their  energies  in  the  north-western  forests, 
which  then  abounded  in  furs  of  the  greatest  value.     Their 
trading  posts  for  the  prosecution  of  this  traffic  were  erected 
on  the  most  prominent  avenues  in  the  interior  of  Canada 
and    upon   the   lakes,   at  those  points   where    the   Indians 
were  most  in  the   habit  of  resorting.     The  wilderness  at 
that  time  was  tilled  with  the  fur-bearing  animals,  and  the 
most  valua])le  kind  were  beavers.     From  various  causes 
springing  from  the  want  of  system  in   their  operations,  so 
great  an  amount  of  peltries  was  collected  at  the  warehouses, 
that  they  could  not  be  disposed  of.     It  appears,  indeed,  that 
during  the  early  stages  of  the  French  fur  trade,  there  was 
great  improvidence  on  the  part  of  the  colonial  government  in 
its  prosecution,  because  thefur-bearinganimals  were  permitted 
to  be  killed  for  amusement  without  discrimination,  and  the 
Indians,  who  could  not  appreciate  their  value,  and  therefore 
sold  them  for  I  rifles,  were  encourao;ed  to  do  the  same.     The 
necessary  consequence  was,  that  the  most  valuable  furs  were 
accumulated  at  the  different  posts,  and  destroyed  for  want  of  a 
mirket,  while  the  forests  were  exhausf<^d  of  that  which  has 
since  been  found  a  rich  source  of  national  wealth.     As  the 
French  market  became  glutted  with  peltries,  the  merchants 
declined  buying  more,  and  the  traders  therefore  transported  a 
large  amount  to  the  T^nglish  provinces  annually,  and  many 
had  permanent   establishments    in    the  province  of  New- 
York. 

From  the  class  of  the  traders  arose  that  original  body  of 
men,  the  Coureurs  dcs  Bois.  They  consisted  of  those  French 
emigrants  who  volimteerod  their  services  in  the  employ  of 


ii 


mm 


30 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


{i|> 


tlie  large  fur  companies.    Obedient  to  their  employers  as  sailors 
to  the  coinmandors  of  their  ships,  they  were  accustomed  to 
advance  up  the  northern  lakes  to  Michiliinacicinac  and  be- 
yond, to  explore  ihu  nmiotest  inland  streams  of  Mu!  forest,  with 
their  large  caia.es   laden  with  d^y  goods   and   trinkets,  at 
places  in  which  they  could  exchange  their  manufactured  Eu- 
ropean articles  witli  the  Indians  for  furs.     The  goods,  as  well 
as  the  licenses  for  the  traflic,  were  generally  procured  by  the 
traders  from  the  merchants  ;    and   they   sold   to   the  mer- 
chants their  peltries  on  their  return.     During  eacli  year,  the 
traders  having  ladon  their  canoes  with  peltries,  swept  down 
the  sparkling  waters  of  the  lakes  to  Quebec  and   Montreal, 
through  the  Ottawas  Kivcr  or  across  the  portage  at  Niagara 
info   Lake   Ontario  ;    accompanied  by  numerous  canoes  of 
the  Ottawas  and  the  Hurons,  who  supposed  that  they  could 
there  find   a  better  market   for  their  skins  than  could  be 
obtained  at  Michilimackinac.     Desertions  of  the  French  be- 
came frequent ;  some  of  tlie  Courenrs  dcs  Bois  absconded  to 
the  English  posts,  and  others  wandered  deep  into  the  forests, 
and  became  incorporated  with  the  Indians. 

In  order  to  prevent  this  desertion,  a  plan  was  devised  by 
the  French  Colonial  Government,  which  was  humane  as  well 
as  judicious.  This  was  the  granting  of  licenses  to  trade  to 
those  who  were  worthy  of  confidence,  and  the  prohibition  of 
all  others  from  going  out  of  the  colony.  These  licenses  were 
vended  to  old  officers  and  poor  gentlemen,  who  had  the  privi- 
lege of  selling  them  to  the  traders,  according  to  their  value. 
The  number  of  these  licenses  was  regulated  by  the  Court,  and 
their  distribution  belonged  to  the  Governor-o-eneral.  '•  Permis- 
sions," of  more  ample  character,  were  also  granted  from  the 
same  source  to  the  commandants  of  the  forts. 

As  Canada  was  settled  by  many  indigent  noblemen,  to 
whom  lands  had  been  granted,  these  were  not  exactly  the 
proper  persons  to  advance  agriculture.  They  were,  for  the 
most  part,  officers  and  gentlemen  who  had  not  funds  sufficient 
to  maintain  the  proper  workmen  upon  tlieir  domains.  It  was 
therefore  found  necessary  to  settle  the  lands  of  those  to  whom 
lordships  were  given,  with  tenants  who  were  obliged  to  labor 


I  '     I 


EARLY  CONDITION  OK  CANADA. 


31 


hard,  and  expend  all  their  udvunces  of  money  before  tlicy 
could  procure  the  nocussary  sul).sistenre  ;  wliilo  the  fur  trade, 
wliich  was  the  predominating  spirit  of  tlie  times,  spread  a 
restless  and  miifratory  disposition  amouir  the  people.  Another 
fact  which  impeded  tlie  progress  of  agriculture,  was  tho /node 
of  tenure  in  the  distrihution  of  lauds.  The  tenants  iield  their 
farms  trammelled  with  conditions  us  rigid  and  illiberal  as  the 
villeins  of  the  dark  ages  ;  and  this,  of  course,  took  away  all. 
interest  of  the  tenant  in  the  soil,  excepting  so  far  as  he  could 
benefit  himself.  The  fur  trade,  moreover,  was  soon  taken  out 
of  tho  hands  of  the  companies  by  the  French  king,  and  almost 
every  body  embarked  in  it.  This  caused  the  utmost  confu- 
sion. As  early  as  17U(i  the  furs  were  purchased  by  the  tra- 
ders in  Canada,  frecpently  at  a  higher  price  than  tliey  could 
command  in  France.  Such,  however,  was  not  the  fact  in  the 
English  colonies  along  the  Atlantic.  In  that  quarter  there 
seems  to  have  been  more  systematic  organization.  Their  arti- 
cles for  the  trafiic  could  be  afforded  cheaper  than  those  of  the 
French ;  their  plans  were  conducted  with  greater  judgment, 
and  the  necessary  consequence  was,  that  while  they  were  ac- 
cumulating wealth  by  the  fishery  and  the  fur  trade,  the 
French  were  growing  poor. 

The  condition  of  commerce  and  anrriculture  amonc  the 
French  at  that  period,  when  the  forests  abounded  with  all  the 
sources  of  wealth  exhibits  strongly  the  want  of  national  en- 
terprise and  enlightened  legislation  on  the  part  of  that  go- 
vernment. Had  the  French  Government  comprehended  the 
full  value  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  of  the  furs  which 
abounded  in  the  wilderness,  it  might  have  established  penal 
laws  to  prevent  the  wanton  destruction  of  the  fur-bearing  ani- 
mals, organised  a  liberal  system  of  land  distribution,  which 
would  have  furnished  motive  for  exertion  to  agriculturists, 
and  planted  vigorous  colonies  in  this  part  of  the  continent, 
which  would  have  poured  a  broad  stream  of  wealth  upon  that 
empire,  and  perhaps  have  perpetuated  the  dominion  of  France 
in  this  country.  It  is  clear,  however,  that  when  none  of  the 
precious  metals  were  discovered,  it  permitted  the  colonies  to 
pine  in  comparative  neglect  and  barrenness.    Besides  the  furs 


iiii 


i  1 


32 


HISTORY    OF   MICHIGAN. 


Which  were  annually  shipped  to  France,  trade  in  kimber  was 
prosecuted  with  the  West  Indies,  and  u  large  amount  was  sent 
to  those  islands. 

As  the  funds  for  the  payment  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  o-e- 
nerally  arrived  from  France  too  late,  certain  local  bills  werels- 
sued,  and  these  were  circulated  in  the  place  of  coin.     By  virtue 
of  an  ordinance  of  the  Governor  and  Intendant,  this  money 
was  made  of  cards ;  and  its  value,  the  mark  of  the  treasury 
and  the  arms  of  France  were  stamped  upon  it  in  Spanish  wax 
Paper  money  was  afterwards  struck  in  France,  and  impressed 
the  same  as  the  current  money.     It  was  ordained  that  these 
bills  should  be  returned  every  year  into  the  Canadian  trea- 
sury before  the  annual  arrival  of  the  French  ships,  in  order 
to  receive  an  additional  mark  and   to  prevent  counterfeits. 
Ihis  paper  money  was,  however,  soon  disused,  and  card 
money  substituted,  stamped  with  new  impressions.     All  bills 
to  the  value  of  four  livres  and  upwards  were  signed  by  the 
Intendant  ;  and  all  below  that  sum  were  only  marked      At  a 
subsequent  period,  the  Governor-general  signed  those  which 
were  of  the  value  of  six  livres.     During  the  first  weeks  of 
autumn,  these  bills  were  carried  back  to  the  treasurer,  and 
bills  of  exchange  were  received  in  return.     So  lono-  as  these 
bills  of  exchange  were  jjaid,  the  bills  were  preferred  to  specie 
but  they  soon  ceased  to  be  honored  ;  and  in  1713  they  Jiad  be- 
come so  depreciated  in  value,  that  the  inhabitants  proposed  to 
lose  one  half,  on  condition  that  the  king  should  cause  them 
to  be  taken  up.     This  was  done  in  1717.    The  paper  cur- 
rency  was  abolished,  and  the  colonial  officers  were  again  paid 
m  current  coin. 

As  early  as  1084,  the  French  Colonial  establishments  ia 
Canada  had  grown  to  considerable  importance.  At  that  time 
according  to  LaHontan,  Quebec  exhibited  some  architectural 
excellence.  There  were  six  churches  in  the  high  city,  and 
also  a  cathedral,  over  which  were  a  bishoo  and  twelve  preben- 
daries, who  resided  in  the  chapter  liouse.'  It  was  the  head- 
quarters of  the  Roman  church  and  the  rendezvous  of  the 
priests,  who  were,  as  a  general  fact,  men  of  correct  morals, 
and  contented  with  the  bare  necessaries  of  life.     Here  was 


I 


EARLV   CONDITION    OF   CANADA. 


33 


the  church  of  the  Jesuits,  a  massive  edifice,  with  its  ahar  sup- 
ported by  four  great  columns  of  black  stone,  which  La  Hon- 
tan  calls  "a  sort  of  Canada  porphyry."  The  Jesuit  fathers 
had  large  and  stately  apartments,  looking  out  upon  grounds 
adorned  with  groves  and  gardens,  and  containing  ice-houses 
and  other  means  of  luxury.*  It  appears,  that  at  that  time  the 
influence  of  the  church,  moulded,  in  a  great  measure,  the  po- 
licy of  the  colony  ;  because  the  directors  of  the  seminary  of 
St.  Sulpicius  at  Paris  were  proprietors  of  the  Island  of  Mon- 
treal, and  had  the  power  of  nominating  the  bailiff  and  other 
magistrates  ;  and  they  had,  in  fact,  previously  had  the  nomi- 
nation of  the  Governor.  These  directors,  who  were  lords, 
had  sent  out  missionaries  to  Montreal  from  time  to  time,  and 
they  lived  under  the  direction  of  a  Superior.  They  had 
apartments  allotted  to  them  in  a  large  and  convenient  house, 
built  of  free  stone,  which  was  constructed  on  the  model  of 
St.  Sulpicius  at  Paris.  Cantons  on  the  south  side  of  the  island 
produced  a  considerable  revenue,  as  the  land  was  fertile,  and 
the  inhabitants  were  rich  in  agricultural  products,  for  which 
they  found  in  the  city  a  ready  market. 

In  1720,  duebec  and  Montreal  had  grown  to  a  population 
of  many  thousands.  It  consisted  of  nobles,  nuns,  priests,  ar- 
tisans, traders,  and  soldiers  connected  with  the  machinery  of 
the  church  and  state.  A  polished  form  of  society,  instinctive 
in  the  French  nation,  prevailed  here.  A  great  portion  of  their 
time  was  spent  in  amusement,  and  much  wealth  was  squan- 
dered in  extravagance.  In  summer  the  colonists  embarked  in 
parties  of  pleasure,  in  their  calashes  or  canoes :  and  in  winter 
they  drove  their  carioles  upon  the  snow  or  skated  upon  the 
river.  On  the  annual  arrival  of  the  French  ships,  the  colony 
was  enlivened  by  interesting  topics  of  news  from  the  parent  go- 
vernment. Hunting  was  resorted  to  by  the  gentlemen,  not 
only  for  amusement,  but  profit.  The  least  rusticity  in  lan- 
guage or  behavior  was  not  perceived,  from  the  bishop  to  the 
most  obscure  menial  of  the  church,  from  the  aristocratic  part- 
ner to  the  humble  and  reckless  voyagcur  of  the  fur  trade. 


"M 


!f  ;ii 


*  Lb  Ilontan. 


34 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


I 

ill 


"  The  Canadians,"  says  Charlevoix,  «  drew  in  with  their  na- 
tive breath  the  air  of  freedom."     Tiie  agricultural  class  were 
contented  with  their  lot,  while  the  7ioblesse  of  a  chivalrous 
cast  of  character,  boasted  of  ancestral  exploits  and  exulted  in 
military  glory.     The  French  language  was  spoken  with  the 
utmost  accuracy  and  elegance.     There   were  at  that  time, 
however,  but  few  rich  men  in  the  country,  because  wealth, 
which  was  easily  accumulated,  was  seldom  hoarded.     The 
most  brilliant  assemblies  were  given  at  the  mansions  of  those 
in  power.     At  stated  intervals  the  settlements  were  enlivened 
by  the  traders,  returning  from  the  interior  posts  of  the  wilder- 
ness like  mariners  from  the  ocean  ;  or  by  savages,  who,  sweep- 
ing down  from  the  clear  and  brimming  waters  of  the  upper 
lakes,  with  their  canoes  laden  with  beaver  skins,  would  land 
upon  the  shores,  hold  their  mercantile  carnival  in  the  market- 
place, and  fill  the  store-houses  of  the  merchants  with  furs. 

The  early  liistory  of  the  F'rench  domination  in  Canada  is 
intimately  connected  with  the  migrations  of  the  missionaries, 
the  explorations  of  the  traders,  and  the  military  expeditions  of 
the  French,  backed  by  their  Indian  confederates,  against  the 
Iroquois.     The  missionaries  were  regarded  by  many  of  the 
Indians  as  supernatural  beings,  jugglers,  on  whom  the  desti- 
nies of  life  and  death  depended  ;  and  strong  prejudices  were  fre- 
quently aroused  against  them  on  this  account,  causing  the 
most  cruel  murders.     The  Iroquois,  as  a  body,  not  only  dis- 
hked  the  French,  but  they  despised  their  religion  ;  and  ac- 
counts of  the  massacre  and  torture  of  the  priests  upon  the 
shores  of  Lake  Huron,  by  their  tribes,  abound  in  the  old  Je- 
suit journals.     On  one  occasion,  boiling  water  was  poured 
upon  the  priests  in  mockery  of  baptism,  while  they  were 
grasping  the  cross  for  succour  ;  and  red-hot  tomahawks  were 
thrown  into  their  flesh  when  convulsed  in  the  agonies  of 
death.* 

We  do  not  design  to  enter  into  a  minute  specification  of 
the  military  operations  of  that  period.  They  were  mainly 
confined  to  expeditions  sent  out  against  the  English  colonies 

+  Anonytnou?  journal  of  a  Catholic  missionary,  puhlished  in  Paris. 


EARLY  CONDITION  OF  CANADA. 


35 


and  the  Iroquois.  The  savages,  in  fact,  kept  the  French  in 
continual  consternation,  by  hovering  around  their  settlements  • 
and  the  progress  of  agriculture  and  the  advance  of  the  colo- 
nies were  thus  in  a  great  measure  checked.  A  council  with 
the  Iroquois  had  been  held  by  the  French  at  Onondaga, 
which  resulted  in  no  permanent  league.  Numerous  expedi- 
tions against  the  English  were  also  sent  out  upon  the  bor- 
ders ;  and  the  massacre  of  Schenectady,  on  the  8th  of  Fe- 
bruary, 1690,  by  a  body  of  two  hundred  Canadians  and  In- 
dians, who  travelled  through  a  wilderness  covered  with  deep 
snows,  to  accomplish  the  most  infamous  butchery  which 
blackens  the  annals  of  modern  warfare,  was  followed  by  pro- 
jects on  the  part  of  each  of  the  two  nations  to  undermine  the 
power  of  the  other,  which  however,  were  not  carried  out  to 
any  stable  consequences. 

In  1709  England  and  France  being  at  war,  hostilities  were 
re-commenced  in  their  American  colonies,  which  continued 
until  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1 712.  After  this  event,  peace 
was  enjoyed  by  the  Canadian  provinces.  This  peace  was 
peculiarly  fortunate  at  that  period,  because,  in  1714,  there 
Avere  only  about  four  thousand  five  hundred  men  in  Canada 
able  to  bear  arms.  Beneficial  changes  were,  however,  made  in 
the  laws,  and  the  fur  trade  was  prosecuted  with  vigor.  Such 
were  the  circumstances  in  which  the  colonization  of  Michi- 
gan was  commenced. 


f1 


lil 


\l 

hi   IP- 


36 


HISTORY    or    MICHIGAN. 


Nl  i:{, 


I 


CHAPTER  III. 

Colonization  of  Michigan— JVIichilimackinac  founded— Fort  St.  Joseph— Fort 
erected  on  St.  Joseph's  Riv^r— Indian  Council  held  regurding  tlie  post  at  De- 
i!J°  u  .!;?"  founded— Early  condition  of  the  town— Indian  allies  of  the 
French— First  attack  of  Detroit  by  the  Otta we s-Second attack  of  Detroit  by 
the  Foxes-Early  1  rave  lers  through  the  reyon  of  tlie  Lakes-Baron  Lalloi.- 
tan— Peter  Francis  Xavier  de  Charlevoix. 

Michigan  was  embraced  in  the  Canadian  jurisdiction,  the 
prominent  features  of  which  have  been  described.      The 
French  settlements,  which  had  been  at  first  confined   to 
the  eastern  portion  of  Canada,  soon  spread  upon  the  north- 
western lakes,  from  Detroit  to  the  remotest  shores  of  Lake  Su- 
perior.     They  consisted  originally  of  solitary  forts,  at  the 
point  where  the  city  of  Detroit  now  stands  ;  at  the  present  site 
of  Fort  Gratiot ;  at  Michilimackinac,  on  the  northern  part  of 
the  peninsula  of  Michigan  ;  at  St.  Marie  ;  at  St.  Joseph,  on  the 
river  of  the  same  name  ;  at  Chicago  in  Illinois,  and  at  Green 
Bay,  within  the  organized  limits  of  Wisconsin.    These  forts 
were  stretched  at  wide  distances  along  the  lake  frontier,  at 
those  points  which  commanded  the  largest  tract  of  country, 
where  the  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of  resorting  from  the  fa- 
tigues of  the  chase— and  which  afforded  the  iiTost  extensive 
communication  by  canoes  with  the  inland  streams  of  the  forest, 
and  the  most  secure  and  convenient  navigation  across  the 
lakes  to  the  headquarters  of  the  fur  trade,  Quebec  and  Mon- 
treal.   Constructed  of  bark  or  logs,  surrounded  by  pickets,  and 
near  the  chapel  of  the  Jesuits,  the  forts  were  erected  not  only 
to  protect  the  trade,  but  also  the  ecclesiastics,  in  their  mission- 
ary operations  among  the  savages.     Michilimackinac,  on  the 
penmsula,  was  one  of  the  oldest  forts  erected;  and  it  is  of  con- 
siderable importance  as  connected  with  the  progress  of  the  fur 
trade  and  the  military  incidents  of  xMichigan.     Its  foundation 
was  laid  by  Father  Marquette  in  the  year  1671,  who  induced 
a  party  of  Ilurous  to  make  a  settjo-ient  at  that  place,  as  aim- 


FIRST    COLONIZATION   OP   MICHIGAN. 


cleus  for  a  future  colony.  A  fort  and  chapel  having  been 
built,  it  soon  grew  into  great  prominence  as  a  trading  post, 
being  situated  on  the  grand  avenue  of  commerce,  between  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  the  Mississippi,  and  the  most  conspicuous 
rendezvous  of  the  traders,  merchants,  soldiers,  Courcurs  dcs 
liois,  missionaries,  and  savages  of  the  north-west.  As  early  as 
1583  the  Ottawas  and  the  Hurons  had  small  villages  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  chapel  and  the  fort,  separated  by  a  single  pali- 
sade ;  and  the  former  nation  had  conunenced  Iniilding  a  forti- 
fication on  a  rising  ground  near  that  place.  Near  to  the  vil- 
lage of  tile  Hurons,  the  Jesuits  had  a  college,  adjoining  a 
chapel,  enclosed  with  pickets,  in  which  they  exercised  their 
exertions  for  the  conversion  oftlie  Indians.  Their  ellortsfor 
that  object  were,  however,  in  the  main  unsuccessful,  accord- 
ing to  their  own  acknowledgment ;  and  the  utmost  limit,  to 
■which  they  could  bring  the  minds  of  the  savages  in  their 
cause,  was  to  be  permitted  to  administer  die  sacrament  to  their 
dying  children,  and  to  aged  Indians  just  ready  to  sink  into 
their  graves. 

The  Coureurs  dcs  Bois  had  important  settlements  also  at 
Michilimackinac,  as  the  goods  which  were  to  be  traded  for 
furs  with  the  Indians  at  Green  Bay,  in  Illinois,  along  Ijake  Su- 
perior, and  the  country  upon  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi, 
were  obliged  to  remain  at  that  post  for  some  time  before  they 
could  be  transported  to  the  most  conspicuous  markets.  The 
savages  at  that  post  derived  their  principal  subsistence  from 
the  fish,  which  was  found  in  great  abundance  in  the  straits 
and  neighboring  streams ;  and  it  was  believed  to  possess  great 
advantages  from  the  fact  that  the  Iroquois  dared  not  to  venture 
in  their  canoes  to  cross  the  "  strait  of  Lake  Huron  ;"  and  it  was 
also  surrounded  by  marshes,  which  prevented  their  passage  by 
land.*  When  Charlevoix  visited  Michilimackinac,  in  1721, 
however,  the  post  had  fallen  into  decay.  At  that  time  the 
fort  and  missionary  establishment  were  still  retained,  but  the 
Indians  opposed  formidable  obstacles  to  the  exertions  of  the 
Jesuits.    The  post  was  subsequently  much  weakened  by  the 


\ 


*  Lallontan,  vol.  I,  p.  83. 


htfiif 


I:   i 

■    'f 


38 


di^ 


HISTORY    OF    MICrilOAN. 


i 
ill! 


;!  ' 

[;  h 

iversion  of  the  fur  trado,as  the  nortJicm  Indians,  who  were  ac 
customed  to  bring  their  lias  to  tiiis  phice,  were  enticed  to  Hud- 
sou  s  Buy,  where  they  traded  with  the  En<rHsh.*     The  cause 
assicrned  for  this  by  Charlevoix  was  the  fact  that  M.  Cadillac 
the  founder  of  Detroit,  had  drawn  to  that  place  a  great  pro- 
-    portion  ofthe  Indians,  especially  the  Hurons,  who  had  been 
settled  at  Michilimackinac  by  father  Marquette.     There  was 
however,  some  trade  carried  on  with  the  savages  at  that  period' 
mid  It  was  a  point  of  general  resort  by  the  French,  who 
deemed  it  necessary  to  retain  a  Jesuit  at  this  post  for  the 
preservation  of  the  morals  of  the  colonists.f 

Soon  after  the  occupation  of  Michilimackinac,  the  Saultdo 
fet.  Mane  was  founded.     Like  the  other  French  posts,  it  was 
comprised  of  a  fort  and  chapel  in  16S8,  and  was  then  a  fa- 
vorite point  of  resort  for  the  traders  and  savages  on  tlieirway 
to  Mic Iiilimackinac  from  the  forests  of  Lake  Superior.     At  that 
place  there  was  then  a  settlement  of  Indians,  called  by  the 
1' rench  the  Salteurs,  who  procured  their  subsistence  mainly 
rom  the  fish  which  abounded  at  the  foot  of  tlie  rapids  t     It 
had  been  populated  for  a  long  period  previous  to  the  mission 
of  Charlevoix  in  1721  ;  and  bracelets  for  the  Indians,  as  well 
as  cand  esticks,  crosses,  and  censers,  were  wrought  for  the 
use  of  the  church,  by  a  goldsmith  who  resided  at  the  villacre 
Irom  the  masses  of  pure  copper  found  there,  as  well  as  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Superior. 5 

A  settlement  was  also  made,  at  an  early  period,  at  Fort 
Gratiot,  which  was  then  called  Fort  St.  Joseph,  and  a  fort  was 
^lere  erected  by  the  Coureurs  dcs  Bois  at  the  expense  of  M 
Uulbut,  and  occupied  by  the  French.  This  fort  was  soon" 
destroyed ;  Fort  Niagara  had  been  abandoned  to  the  Iroquois 
and  as  a  measure  of  precaution,  it  was  burned  by  the  Baroti 
La  Hontan,  m  August  1688,  under  the  order  of  the  Marquis 
de  Denonvdle,  the  Governor-general  of  Canada 

Besides  another  post  somewhere  on  the  river  St.  Clair,  a  fort 
and  chapel  were  also  built  up  by  the  French  on  the  St.  Joseph 

♦  Clmrlcvoix's  Journal.  t  Ibid,  vol.  2,  p.  42. 

\  La  riontan,  vol.  1,  p.  93.  §  Charlevoi.v's  Journall  vol.  2,  p.  45. 

li  La  Ilontan,  vol.  1,  p.  84. 


ii 


FIRST   COLONIZATION    OB'   MICHIGAN. 


3'J 


river,  the  remains  of  which  are  still  to  bo  seen.  The  desi^rn  of 
these  establishments  was  to  extend  the  dominion  of  the  f'rench. 
In  1721,  this  post  had  a  mission,  which  was  protected  by  a 
Commandant  and  a  small  garrison.  The  house  of  the  Com- 
mandant, called  the  fort,  was  surrounded  by  pickets  in  the 
vicinity  of  three  villages— those  of  the  Hurons,  Potawata- 
mies,  and  Miamies,  converts  of  the  missionaries,  who  were 
stationed  at  this  point  during  that  period.  Without  the  bounds 
of  Michigan,  settlements  were  also  made  by  the  French  at 
Green  Bay,  in  the  territory  of  Wisconsin  about  the  year  1670, 
and  also  at  Chicago  in  Illinois,  for  the  purposes  of  religion 
and  trade  ;  and  these  exhibited  the  same  fcaturcs  with  the 
other  posts.  Their  population  was  composed  of  a  command- 
ant who  was  called  Governor,  Jesuits,  soldiers,  traders,  and 
savages.  The  most  marlccd  features  ofthcse  posts  were  the  fort 
and  the  chapel,  surrounded  with  small  patches  of  cultivated 
hmd,  and  the  wigwams  of  the  Indians.  In  1G89  Green  Bay 
contained  a  fort  and  chapel,  which  were  situated  amid  the 
villages  of  the  Sacs,  Polawatamics,  and  Mcnominees.  This 
place  was  at  that  time  a  rich  market  for  peltries  and  Inthan 
corn,  which  the  savages  sold  to  the  traders  as  they  passed  to 
and  from  the  Mississif)pi.* 

The  English  and  French  having  embarked  as  rivals  in  the 
fur  trade,  it  became  an  important  object  with  the  former  na- 
tion to  secure  its  share  of  the  traffic  of  the  north-western  lakes. 
Accordingly,  a  trading  expedition  of  the  English  arrived  at 
Michilimackinac  in  IGSO,  through  the  connivance  of  the  Otta- 
gamies  or  Fox  Indians,  who  then  occupied  the  banks  of  the 
Detroit  River.  These  tribes  had  been  for  a  long  time  un- 
friendly to  the  French,  and  the  English  had  exercised  their 
policy  to  strengthen  the  friendship  of  the  Foxes  for  their  own 
cause,  by  frequent  messages  and  valuable  presents.  At  that 
period,  no  permanent  settlement  had  been  made  at  Detroit 
because  the  French  had  a  more  direct  and  safer  route  to  the 
upper  lakes,  from  ]\[ontrcal  to  Michilimackinac,  tlirouo-h  the 
Ottawas  or  Grand  River. 


I 


fi« 


If 


♦  La  Ilontun,  vol.  ],  p.  105. 


40 


IILSTOHV    OK    MICIIKJ.W. 


Ih' 


The  poht  of  Detroit  liiid   Ion-;  hem  rc-rardcd  as  a  valiiahle 
point  of  sottleineat  for  the  fur  tnui(>,  iiiasmiicli  as  it  comiiiiiU'l- 
ed  a  broad  tract  of  country,  across  the  peninsula  even   to  the 
banks  of  the   Mississippi,  and  furnished  a  dn-ect  channel  of 
navigation  to  the  I'hiirlish  colonies  in  New- York  by  the  way 
of  Lake  Hrie.     WJiilo  the  ('English  were  looking  with  eao-or 
eyes  to  the  acquisition  of  a  post  on  the  J)etroit  River,  they 
were  anticipated  by  their  rivals  the  French.     Taking  coun- 
sel by  the  movements  of  the  l-lnglish,  and  determined  them- 
selves to  establish  a  post  at   this  ])Uico,  they  had  ado[)tcd  the 
precaution  to  rail  a  grand  council  at  J\roiitreal  lor  the  pur- 
pose of  negotiating  a  treaty  to  that  effect.     This  council  was 
one  of  great  pomp,  and  was  comprised  of  chiefs  of  the  diiierent 
tribes  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi,  the  Governor- 
general  of  Canada,  and  the  most  prominent  scin-nei/rtf  of  the 
country.     It  was  the  most  imposing  assemblage  which  had 
ever  collected  in  the  wilderness.     At  this  council,  the  grounds 
on  which  the  two  nations  based  their  claims  to  the  country 
were  discussed,  as  well  as  their  relations  to  the  several  hordes. 
The  complaints  and  wishes  of  the  two  claimants  were  also  tho- 
roughly weighed.     In  this  discussion,  the  Iroquois  alleged  that 
they  had  understood  that  the  French  were  about  to  erect  a 
post  upon  the  Detroit  River,  and  opposed  the  measure  ;  because 
they  said  the  country  belonged  to  them,  and  they  had  before 
prohibited  the  English  from  mi  ing  an  establishment  at  that 
point. 

To  these  remarks  of  the  Iroquois,  the  Governor-general  of 
Canada  replied,  that  the  country  belonged  neither  to  the  In- 
dians or  the  English,  but  to  the  King  of  France  ;  and  tliat 
there  was  an  expedition  already  on  the  march  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  colony  on  the  banks  of  the  Detroit.  In  ac- 
cordance with  this  determination,  Antoine  de  la  Motto  Cadil- 
lac, Lord  ofHouagetand  Montdesert,  and  commandant  for  the 
king  at  Detroit,  anting  under  a  commission  from  Louis  XIV. 
and  being  granted  fifteen  acres  square,  left  Montreal  in  June', 
1701,  with  one  hundred  men,  a  .Tesuit  missionary,  and  all  the 
necessary  means  for  the  erection  of  a  colony  ;  and  reached 
Detroit  in  .Inly  of  the  same  year,  where  they  commenced  the 


FIR8T    COLONIZATION    Ol-'    MK^IIIOAX. 


41 


■< 


foundation  of  the  settlements.'*  Before  that  period  Detroit  had 
n.t  been  unknown.  As  fur  back  as  Ki^O  it  was  the  re- 
son  of  the  French  Missionaries,  and  when  first  visited  by 
the  French,  its  present  site  was  occupied  by  an  Indian  village 
named  Teuchsa  Grondie.t 

'I'liese  traders  and  missionaries  had,  liowcver.  made  no 
permanent  establishment  at  this  place,  but  encamped  at  that 
point  as  a  convenient  restintr  jrround  in  their  journeys  through 
the  wilderness  upon  the  lakes.  As  early  as  IG'.Jr  a  mission 
Iiud  been  sent  out  amoni^  the  Hurons  near  the  Detroit 
Jliver,  but  no  permanent  settlement  was  made.  The  colony  ot 
Cadillac,  however,  came  prepared  with  all  the  means  of  colo- 
niziition.  A  rudeibrt  was  erected, and  surrounded  with  pickets, 
which  enclosed  a  few  houses  occupied  by  the  French  traders 
and  the  soldiers  attached  to  the  post.  This  establishment  was, 
however,  rude,  frail,  and  mounted  with  small  cannon,  \'hich 
w(;re  mere  ada{)ted  to  overawe  the  Indians  than  fors(  .id  and 
etfective  defence. 

While  the  French  settlements  were  thus  extended  alontr 
the  frontier  of  Michigan,  they  were  surrounded  by  powerful 
savage  confederates  in  the  Algonquin  tribes  along  the  lakes. 
Among  these  were  the  agricultural  race  of  the  Ottawas,  scat- 
tered in  their  villages  through  the  forest ;  the  Ilurons,  a  horde 
which  seems  to  have  been  most  inclined  to  religion,  and 
consequently  most  willing  to  encourage  the  exertions  of  the 
Jesuit  missionaries ;  the  Potawatamies,  the  Mcnominees  of 
Green  Bay,  and  the  numerous  and  savage  bands  of  Chippe- 
was,  living  upon  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior,  obtaining  sub- 
sistence from  the  fish  of  the  lakes  ;  a  nation  who  had  seldom 
seen  the  white  man  ;  wild  as  the  deer  of  their  woods,  and  un 
bending  as  their  granite  mouatains.  These  were  the  stock, 
who,  in  Michigan,  during  an  early  period,  had  leagued  them- 
selves with  the  French,  while  the  Fox'^-',  of  Iroquois  des- 
cent, residing  along  the  banks  of  the  Detroit  River,  adhered  to 
the  English  cause,  and  soon  made  their  power  felt  against  the 
French  settlements. 


♦  Cass's  Discourse. 


t  Coldeii'3 1  ive  Nations. 


42 


IIISTOllV    OP   MICHIGAN. 


!    '  J 


Tho  two  Indian  confederacies,  the  Iroquois  nnd  Algon- 
quins,  wlio  had  attached  themselves  to  the  l-Vench  and  Eu- 
ghshjrovernments,  while  their  causes  ofaUiance  are  not  clearly 
known,  were  equally  capricious  and  unstable  in  the  leagues 
which  they  had  formed.  They  had,  perhaps,  attached  them- 
selves to  these  two  rival  powers,  not  so  much  from  any  strono- 
friendship  which  they  felt  for  the  white  men,  as  to  increase 
theirinfluencein  battering  down  tho  power  of  their  savage 
enemies,  whom  they  hated  with  an  intensify  based  on  imnie- 
morial  feuds,  and  which  had  been  strengthening  for  ages. 

During  the  third  year  after  Detroit  was  founded,  the  Indians 
in  that  quarter  were  invited  to  Albany,  probably  with  a  view 
to  negotiations  with  the  English  government.     It  was,  doubt- 
less, the  policy  of  those  colonies  to  disaflect  them.     A  number 
of  the  Ottawa  chiefs  visited  that  place,  and  they  returned  witli 
altered  feelings.*     During  that   visit  they  were  persuaded 
by  the  English,  who  still  desired  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
post,  that  the  French  settlements  on  the  Lakes  were  designed 
to  wrest  the  dominion  of  the  country  from  their  hands,  and, 
actmg  on  this  conviction,  they  set  tire  to  the  town.     The  tire 
was,  however,  discovered  before  any  serious  injury  was  done. 
About  the  same  time  another  party  of  the  Ottawas,  [laving  re- 
turned from  a  successful  expedition  against  the  Iroquoi',-, 
Hushed  with  victory,  paraded  themselves  in  hostile  array  in 
front  of  the  fort,  and  endeavored  to  induce  the  other  Ind.ans 
to  jom  them  in  its  demolition.     M.  de  Tonti  was  the.i  the 
I'rench  commandant.     The  Sieur  de  Vincennes  was  accord- 
ingly despatched  for  the  purpose  of  dispersing  their  hostile 
bands,  and  he  succeeded  in  defeating  and  putting  them  to 
flight.     In  the  hurry  of  their  departure,  they  abandoned  to 
the  French  the  Iroquois  prisoners  whom  they  had  captured, 
and  these  were  sent  back  to  the  Iroquois  tribes. 

At  the  same  time,  three  villages  of  friendly  Indians  were 
established  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit,  some  of  whom  had  been 
brought  by  Cadillac  from  Michilimackinac.  A  Huron  settle- 
ment had  been  made  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  about  half  a 


I 


*  Casb'a  Discourse. 


COLONIZATION    OF    MICHIGAN. 


43 


mile  below  llie  city  of  Detroit;  a  Potawatamie  village  was 
founded  on  the  same  side,  and  avilkiije  of  the  Ottawas  had 
been  erected  above  the  town,  on  the  Canadian  shore  of  the 
stream. 

The  small  settlements  in  Michigan,  upon  the  lakes,  conti- 
nued inquietude  until  the  year  1712.  Jesuit  missionaries  were 
from  time  to  time  sent  out  from  Quebec  and  Montreal  to  the 
lake  posts,  to  perform  their  oflices  among  the  savages  ;  and  ad- 
ditional security  was  extended  to  Micliilimackinac,  St.  Joseph, 
nnd  other  French  posts  in  this  quarter.  It  appears,  that  what- 
ever m.j^ht  have  been  the  assumption  on  the  part  of  tlie 
French  in  making  their  settlement  at  Detroit,  the  right  of 
domain  to  the  land  had  been  before  acknowledged  to  be  vested 
in  the  Indians ;  because  it  is  well  known  that  before  any  per- 
manent settlement  was  made  on  the  lakes,  M.  Perrot,  a  French 
explorer,  had  visited  the  nations  in  that  quarter,  and  the  In- 
dians afterwarc's  sent  deputies  to  meet  the  sub-delegate  of  the 
Intendant  of  New  France  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Marie.  In  ac- 
cordance with  negotiations  there  made  with  the  Indians,  it 
was  determined  that  the  French  should  occupy  that  point  in 
the  name  of  their  king,  and,  as  a  seal  of  the  agreement,  a  cross 
was  erected,  bearing  the  arms  of  France.*  This  occurred 
previous  to  the  settlement  of  Michilimackinac. 

The  Iroquui 5  had  occasionally  sent  out  marauding  parties 
against  the  French  and  Indians  upon  the  lakes,  and  the  Je- 
suits had  been  murdered  with  the  most  savage  cruelty  by  their 
wandering  bands.  During  the  month  of  May,  1712,  the 
Ottagamies  or  Foxes,  who  were  then  comparatively  obscure, 
but  who,  it  appears,  M'ere  in  secret  alliance  with  the  Iroquois, 
perfected  a  plan  to  demolish  the  town  of  Detroit.  They  were, 
doubtless,  induced  to  do  this  by  the  Five  Nations  backed  by 
the  English,  who  wished  to  destroy  this  post  and  erect  a  Ibrt 
of  their  own  on  its  ruins.  Arrangements  were  accordingly 
made  for  that  object  in  silence  and  darkness.  The  Indians 
were  noticed  at  that  time  congregating,  under  various  preten- 
ces, around  tlie  fort,  which  was  garrisoned  by  a  small  force  of 

*  M'Gresor's  British  America. 


i  I! 


41 


HISTORY    OP    MICmovTV. 


twenty  French  soldiers.    M.  Du   Uuis.son  was  commandant. 
The  occupants  of  the  throe  Indian  viilacjes  at  Detroit,  the 
Potuwataniios,  tiie  Ottawas,and  the  Flurons,  were  at  that  time 
ubsent  on  n  luinting  party :  and  those  were  the  only  Iriendly 
savages  on  whom  lie  could  safely  depend  Ibr  aid.     The  plan 
which  liad  been  secretly  devised  for  the  destruction  of  the  fort 
of  Detroit  was  disclosed  by  a  convert  of  their  tribes,  who  had 
adopted  the  Catholic  faith,  before  it  was  ripe  for  execution  ; 
and  M.  Du  Buisson  immediately  sent  despatches  through  the 
wilderness,  to  call  in  the  aid  of  the  friendly  Indians,  and^ com- 
menced prcpariii<r  the  fort  for  a  vigorous  and  effectual  defence. 
On  the  13th  of  May,  the  attack  of  Detroit  was  commenced 
by  the  Foxes."     At  this  juncture,  and  when  their  aid  was 
most  required,  the  Indians  friendly  to  t!ie  French  appeared 
through  the   wilderness,  naked,  painted,  and  armed  fbr  bat- 
tle, and  the  gates  of  the  fort  were  opened  for   their  recep- 
tion.     Entering  the  council-house,  they  liad  an  interview 
with  Du  Buisson,  and  repeated  their  friendship  for  the  French, 
and  their  determination  to  die  in  defence  of  the  fort. 

The  Foxes,  having  perceived  the  arrival  of  the  friendly  In- 
dians, retreated  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  city  of  Detroit, 
where  they  entrenched  themselves  within  their  camp,  for  the 
purpose  of  future  action.  In  order  to  drive  them  from  that 
post,  a  block- house  was  erected  by  the  French,  which  com- 
manded their  position .1  Here  they  were  attacked  with  great 
vigor,  and  cut  off  from  nil  supply  of  water  by  the  constant 
fire  which  was  poured  upon  them  by  the  forces  of  the  French 
and  their  savage  allies.  Their  provisions  were  soon  exhaust- 
ed ;  and,  driven  to  despair  by  thirst  and  famine,  they  issued 
from  their  camp  and  from  having  been  the  besieged,  they  be- 
came the  besiegers.  Rushing  out  upon  the  French,  they 
succeeded  in  ac(iuiring  the  possession  of  a  house  near  the  fort 
of  Detroit.  From  this  house,  which  they  fortified,  they  at- 
tacked the  French,  but  were  again  dislodged  by  the  cannon, 
and  driven  back  to  their  former  intrenchmcnt. 

Finding  that  their  attempt  to  undermine  the  French  post 


*  Cass's  DiseourRe. 


t  Ibid. 


if  -• 


ATi'viK  ov  DirriioiT  nv  thk  i-oxks. 


45 


was  likely  to  be  unsuccessful,  the  Foxes  sent  a  dopulation  to 
the  French  Couunaudaut,  with  pacific  overtures  ;  but  as  no 
confidence  was  placed  in  their  promises,  the  capitulation  was 
rejected.  This  tended  only  to  increase  their  raije  and  indijf- 
nation.  They  now  deemed  themselves  insulted,  and,  under 
the  influence  of  a  determined  and  desperate  revenge,  they  dis- 
charged showers  of  blazing  arrows  upon  the  fort.  Tlie 
lighted  matches  which  had  been  atlixed  to  the  arrows,  coming 
in  contact  v/ith  many  of  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  which  were 
thatched  with  straw,  kindled  them  iiuo  flame,  until  the  pre- 
caution was  taken  to  cover  the  rest  with  wet  skins  ;  and  by 
that  means  they  were  preserved, 

jM.  Du  LJiiisson  was  almost  discouraged  by  the  desperation 
of  the  Foxes,  and  had  nearly  determined  to  evacuate  the  post, 
and  retire  to  Michilimackinac,  when  he  was  dissuaded  from 
that  act  by  the  friendly  Indians,  who  promised  to  increase 
their  eflbrls  to  dislodge  the  Foxes.  When  the  preparations 
for  the  second  attack  had  been  concluded,  the  war-song  and 
the  war-dance  finished,  the  savages  returned  to  their  posts 
and  re-commenced  tlie  onset  upon  the  Foxes  with  increased 
fury.  It  was  successful.  A  constant  and  unerring  fire  was 
poured  upon  their  intrenchmcnts,  which  were  soon  heaped 
with  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

A  capitulation  was  again  demanded.  Before  any  negotia- 
tion was  cftectcd,  however,  the  Foxes  retreated  into  that  por- 
tion of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan  which  advances  into  Lake 
St.  Clair,  where  they  intrenclied  themselves.  This  abandon- 
ment was  made  at  night,  during  a  storm,  without  discovery, 
and  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  the  siege. 

As  soon  as  this  escape  was  made  known,  they  were  pursued 
by  the  Indian  allies,  aided  by  the  French,  and  attacked  in 
their  camp.  On  the  first  action,  the  Foxes  gained  considerable 
advantage,  and  repulsed  the  French  and  Indians,  who  had 
attacked  them  without  sufficient  precaution  and  judgment. 
Another  and  more  successful  method  was  soon  adopted  to 
dislodge  tliem  from  that  position.  About  four  days  were  oc- 
cupied by  the  French  for  that  object ;  a  field  battery  was  erect- 
ed, and  the  entrenchment  of  the  Foxes  soon  fell,  battered 


«' 


1 


V 


i 


I 


46 


mw    i 


1         tji 


I  '';! 


IIISTOUV    OF    JIirilKiAN. 


down  by  tlie  Frencli  cannon  on  the  fifth  day  of  that  siege. 
Entering  the  works  in  arms,  the  allies  and  French  commenc- 
ed a  deadly  slaughter  upon  the  Foxes,  destroyed  about  a 
thousand  of  their  warriors,  while  the  women  and  children, 
whose  lives  they  spared,  were  divided  as  slaves  among  the 
French  confederates. 

The  discomfited  bands  of  the  Foxes,  at  war  with  every 
power,  civilized  and  savage,  in  this  quarter,  the  Ishmaelites  of 
the  American  M-ilderness,  soon  after  collected  their  scattered 
bands  on  the  bank's  of  the  Fox  River  of  Green  Bay.     Here 
they  commanded  the  country  between  the  lakes  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi, so  that  no  travellers  could  pass  through  their  territory 
unless  they  were  in  large  bodies,  and  armed ;  while  their 
warriors  were  sent  out  into  the  forest  to  seek  objects  of  butch- 
ery and  devastation.     The  predatory  spirit  of  these  hordes 
caused  great  alarm  to  the  French  missionaries  and  traders. 
So  great  apprehension,  indeed,  was  entertained  by  the  Frencti 
interest  from  their  liostility,  and  zo  great  injury  had  already 
been  done  by  those  tribes,  that  an  expedition  was  fitted  out 
against  them  by  the  French,  backed  by  Indian  allies,  most  ot 
whom  had  solid  ground  of  revenge  against  the  Foxes.     These 
tribes  had  selected  a  strong-hold  on  the  banks  of  the  Fox  River 
now  called  by  the  French  Buttd  cles  Morts,  the  hill  of 
THE  DEAD.     That  positiou  was  secured  by  a  deep  ditch  and 
three   courses   of  palisades.      At  this   place   they  collected 
their  women  and  children,  and  prepared  for  a  desperate  de- 
fence.    The  fort  was  so  strong,  that  De  Louvigny,  the  com- 
mandant of  the  expedition,  declined  a  sudden  attack,  and  pre- 
pared  for  a  formal  siege.     Advancing  by  a  gradual  proo-ress 
to  a  proper  position  for  undermining  the  works,  he  was  "pre- 
paring tor  the  final  result,  wlien  terms  of  capitulation  were 
proposed  and  accepted.     The  warriors  who  had  survived  the 
siege  were  spared.     After  this  event,  the  pride  of  the  Ottacra- 
nns  was  humbled,  and  they  sunk  into  obscurity  durino-  die 
remainder  of  the  French  war.  '^ 

The  few  scattered  posts  of  ]\richigan,  at  that  time  without 
any  separate  organization  of  colonial  government,  such  as 
prevailed  in  the  English  colonies  at  this  period,  exhibit  no 


LA    HONTAN. 


47 


connected  sequence  ot  prominent  events.  Tliey  were  a  part  of 
the  Canadian  domain,  inhabited  by  wandering  hordes  of  sava- 
ges and  migratory  traders,  whose  operations  had  reference  to 
the  fur  trade,  and  whose  head-quarters  were  at  Q,uebec  and 
Montreal.  To  the  French  soldiers  and  Jesuits  who  were  sent 
into  that  region,  the  freshness  and  magnificence  of  the  scenery 
spread  out  the  most  glowing  visions.  From  the  metropo- 
lis of  refinement  and  the  arts,  tlie  depository  of  mo.st  tliat  was 
valuable  in  sculpture,  painting,  and  architecture,  they  were 
transferred  to  a  trackless  wilderness,  where  all  was  unculti- 
vated nature.  If  their  reflections  were  somewhat  tinctured 
with  romance,  the  scenes  which  surrounded  them  were  emi- 
nently calculated  to  call  forth  that  spirit. 

The  vast  alluvion,  stretching  from  the  St.  liawronce  to  the 
Mississippi,  displayed  a  bountiful  tract  of  fertile  soil,  adorned 
with  the  richest  vegetation,  and  watercu  by  sparkling  streams — 
those  blue  veins  of  the  globe  which  circulate  life  and  vigor 
through  every  part  of  its  system.  Inland  seas  rolled  along 
like  oceans  through  the  wilderness.  Herds  of  deer,  elk,  and 
buffalo,  wandered  through  the  plains,  fed  on  the  islands  of  the 
rivers,  or  drank  at  the  rivulets  of  the  oak-lands.  FMsh  of  the 
greatest  value  and  abundance  glided  through  the  waves  ; 
flocks  of  water-fowl  wheeled  their  course  along  the  shores, 
or  dipped  in  the  current;  and  snow-white  gulls  skimmed 
the  surface,  or  were  tossed  on  the  crest  of  the  billows.  The 
adventurers,  in  advancing  along  the  islands  in  Lake  Erie,  the 
Detroit  River,  and  river  St.  Clair,  saw  all  around  them  a 
glorious  scene  of  waters  and  forests,  as  yet  untouched  by 
the  hand  of  civilization,  and  inhabited  by  savages  as  strange 
as  their  own  wilderness.  Upon  the  frontier  of  Michigan, 
dense  woods  of  lofty  trees  extended  across  a  belt  of  fifteen 
miles,  over  a  level  surface,  sometimes  almost  inundated  by 
heavy  rains,  now  expanding  into  splendid  tracts  of  scenery, 
and  now  broken  by  dismal  swamps.  Grape-vines,  of  large 
size,  hung  pendant  from  the  boughs  of  the  trees,  or  clustered 
around  their  enormous  trunks.  As  the  travellers  advanced 
into  the  interior,  across  that  belt,  tlu'ough  Indian  trails,  a 
more  beautiful  scene  opened  before  them.    The  country  be- 


K\ 


U   i 


48 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


gan  to  swell  into  graceful  undulations  and  mound-like  hills- 
covered,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  with  groves  of  oak,  free 
of  undergrowth,  like  extended  parks-or  to%xpand  in  rich 
prairies  and  crystal  lakes.     Luxuriant  liowers,  of  various  and 
gorgeous  colors,  which  now  eminently  mark  the  forest  scenery 
of  Michigan     covered   the   whole  surface  of  the  ground 
I  seemed  as  if  nature,  amid  the  solitude,  fresh  in  hei'  virgin 
bloom,  had  adorned  her-  bosom  with  the  fragrant  roses^f 
spring  lu  honor  of  her  Maker;  and,  vain  of  her  charms,  had 
set  these  lakes  upon  the  landscape,  as  watery  mirrors,  to  reflect 
her  own  beauty.     It  was  such  scenes  which  colored  the  des- 
criptions of  the  French  travellers  through  that  region. 

.JT  u'l  ^f  """'""'*  '''^'^''^^'  °^^^^^^  accomplishments, 
who  travelled  through  the  lakes  about  the  year  1688,  thus  des^ 
ciiues  lake  hivic : 

nnZnf  P^""!"';^"'  ''  '^"'^'^  ^'-"'^'^  ^^^^'^  *''«  illustrious 
name  of  Conti,  for  assuredly  'tis  the  finest  upon  earth.     You 

may  judge  of  the  goodness  of  the  climate  from  the  latitude  of 
the  countries  that  surround  it. 

'•  Its  circumference   extends   to  two  liundred  and   thirty 
eagues  ;  Inn  it  afibrds  every  where  such  a  charming  prospec 
that  Its  banks  are  decked  with  oak  trees,  elms,  dieS.  it  trees 
wa  nut  trees,  apple  trees,  plum  trees,  and  vines  whidi    S 

of  ground  that  lies  as  smooth  as  one's  hand.  Such  orna- 
ments as  these  are  sufficient  to  give  rise  to  the  most  agree  be 
Idea  of  a  landscape  in  the  world.  I  cannot  express  wh. I 
vast  quantities  of  deer  and  turkies  are  to  be  founS  t     hese 

he  lake.     A    the  bottom  of  the  lalce  we  find  wild  beeves 

Titlfo;  tt  ^';"^^'"^^^^^  '^^'  disembogue  ■;' 

n  without    cataracts  or  rapid  currents.       ft  abounds  with 

sturgeon  and  white  fish,  but  trouts  are  very  scarce  i     it   ^t 

well  as  the  other  fish  that  we  take  in  the  lakes  of  Huron 

and  Illmese.     -Tis  clear  of  shelves,  rocks,  andbanlLf    n^ 

and  has  fourteen  or  fifteen  fathom  water.     The  savages  ll 


I 


1 1 


CHARLEVOIX. 


49 


sure  us  that  it  is  never  disturbed  by  high  winds,  except  in  the 
mouths  of  December,  January,  and  February,  and  even  then 
but  seldo  11 ;  which  I  am  very  apt  to  beheve,  for  we  had  very 
few  storms  when  I  wintered  in  my  fort  in  1688  ;  though  the 
fort  lay  open  to  the  hike  of  Hurons.     The  banks  of  this  lake 
are  commonly  frequented  by  none  but  warriors,  whether  the 
Iro;iuese,  the  Illinese,  the  Oumamis,  <fcc. ;  and  'tis  very  dan- 
gerous to  stop  there.     By  this  means  it  comes  to  pass  that  the 
stags,  roe-bucks,  and  turkies,  run  in  great  bodies  up  and  down 
the"'shore,  all  around  the  lake.     In  former  times  the  Errier- 
rouons*  and  the  Andastogueronons  lived  upon  the  confines  of 
the  lake ;  but  tliey  were  extirpated   by  the  Iroquese  as  well 
the  other  nations  marked  on  the  map."t 

Peter  Francis  Xavier  dc  Cliarlcvoix,  the  polished  Jesuit 
and  accomplished  historian  of  New  France,  liaving  been  com- 
missioned by  tlie  French  Government,  passed  through  this  re- 
gion in  1721,  and  he  breaks  out  in  the  following  eloquent 
and  glowing  terms,  descriptive  of  the  country  ;  addressed  to 
the  Dutchess  de  Lesdiguieres,  as  he  coasted  along  the  bank  of 

Lake  Erie  : 

"  The  first  of  June  being  the  day  of  Pentecost,  after  having 
sailed  up  a  beautiful  river  for  the  space  of  an  hour,  which  has 
its  rise,  as  they  say,  at  a  great  distance,  and  runs  betwixt  two 
fine  meadows,  we  passed  over  a  carrying-place  of  about  sixty 
paces  in  breadth,  in  order  to  avoid  turning  round  a  point, 
which  is  called  the  Long  Point.  It  is  a  very  sandy  spot  of 
ground,  and  naturally  bears  a  great  quantity  of  vines.  The 
following  days  I  saw  ncthing  remarkable,  but  coasted  along 
a  charmUig  country,  hid,  at  times,  by  very  disagreeable  pros- 
pects, which,  however,  are  of  no  great  extent.  Wherever  I 
went  ashore  I  was  enclianted  by  the  beauty  and  variety  of  a 
landscape,  which  was  terminated  by  the  noblest  forests  in  the 
whole  world.  Add  to  this,  that  every  part  of  it  swarms  with 
water-fowl.    I  cannot  say  whether  the  woods  afTord  game  in 

»  Notwithstanding  the  account  by  Hrnnepin,  it  is  fairly  to  he  inferred  that 

l.oke  Rrie  derives  its  name  from  this  tribe. 

t  New  Voyages  to  North  America,  by  the  Baron  La  Hontan.  Lord-heiitenant 
of  the  French"  colony  at  Placentia  in  Newfomidland,  vol.  1,  pagf'  217. 

7 


H 


1 


i!^ 


i. 


50 


HISTORY    OF    MICIIIfiAN'. 


),'.,!    i't 


equal  profusion  ;  l„it  I  well  know  that  on  the  so„(h  side 
there  is  a  prodi-rious  quantity  of  hniraioes.     Wero  wo  all  to 
sail,  as  I  then  did,  with  a  soren.3  sky,  in  a  most  rhannin<r  rli- 
mate,  and  in  water  as  clear  as  that  of  the  purest  Ibnntain  • 
were  we  sure  of  Hnding  every  where  socurc  and  a-reoahl,'  pla- 
ces to  pass  the  ni-lit  in,  whore  we  ini<rht  enjoy  tlie  pleasure 
of  hnntnicr  at  a  small  expense,  breathe  at  our  ease  the  purest 
mr,  and  enjoy  the  prospect  of  the  finest  countries  in  the  uni- 
verse; we  mi-ht  possibly  be  t(.mpted  to  travel  to  the  end  of 
our  days.     ]  recalled  to  mind  those  ancient  patriarchs  who 
had  no  fixed  place  of  abode,  who  lived  in  tents,  who  were  in 
a  manner  the  masters  of  all  theconnlries  they  pass,>d  throu-h 
and  who  enjoyed,  in  peace  and  tranquillity,  all  tiieir  produc- 
tions without  the  plajrue  inevitable  in  the  possession  of  a  real 
and  fixed  estate.     How  many  oaks  represented  to  me  tliat  of 
Mamre  !  How  many  fountains  put  me  in  mind  of  that  of  Jacob  ' 
Each  day  a  new  situation,  chosen  at  phvisure,  a  neat  and  com- 
modious house  built  and  furnished  with  all  necessaries  in  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  floored  with  a  pavement  of 
flowers,  continually  springi.io:  up  on  a  carpet  of  the  most 
beautdul  jrrcen  ;  on  all  sides  simple  and  natural  beauties,  un- 
adulterated  and  inimitable  by  any  art."* 

In  advancin.ir  towards  Detroit,  Charlevoix  remarks  • 
"It  is  pretended  that  thi,s  is  the  finest  part  of  all  Canada- 
and  really,  if  we  can  judire  by  appearances,  nature  seems  to 
hare  denied  it  nothina:  which  can  contribute  to  make  a  country 
dehjrhttul.     Hills,  meadows,  fields,  lofty  forests,  rivulets  foun- 
tains, rivers  ;  and  all  ofthem  so  excellent  in  their  kind  and 
so  happily  blended,  as   to  equal   the  most  romantic   wishes. 
1  he  lands,  however,  are  not  equally  proper  for  every  kind  of 
gram,  but  most  of  them  are  of  a  wonderful  fbrtility  •  and  I 
have  known  some  product;  -ood  wheat  for  ei-dueen  years 
runnin-,  without  any  manure;  and  besides,  all  of  tl-.em  are 
proper  tor  some  particular  use.    The  islands  seem  j^laced  on 
jmrpose  lor  the  pleasure  of  the  prospect;  the  river  and   lake 
abound  m  fish,  the  air  is  pure  ;  and  the  climate  temperate 
and  extremely  wholesome."t 

*  CImrI.;voix-8  .Tou  -.ml,  vol.  -2,  pa;:o  2.  f  Un6,  v.I.  2,  page  6. 


I 


I 


riiAnLEVoix. 


61 


After  describing  tlin  ^[eiieral   locntiou  and  cliaractcr  of  tlie 
Indians  aloiifi^  tlie  batiks  of  the  river  near    D(!troit,  and  the 
advantu<f('s  of  that    [)()sitioii  as  tbe  site  of  a  town,  the  jea- 
lousy  wbi(;h,    at    this    eniiy    piM'iod,   existed    b(!tw(!en    tlie 
French  and  bjii;Lrlisj|i  in  ()blaiiiin<^  (Ik;  dominion  of  the  coun- 
try is  exhibited  in  the  subjoincid  reiuarks.    His  desitjn  was 
to  remove  the  objt^ctions  wliich   had   been  iirj^ed   to  a  large 
settlement  at  l)(!troit  from  its  proximity  to   IJritish  influence. 
"  As   for   what  has  been  said,  that  iiy  making  a  settlement 
ut  the  Narrows  we  should  brini<;  llie  fur  trade  too  much  within 
reach,  there  is  not  a  inim  in  (Janada  who  does  not  agree  that 
wc  can  never  succeed  in  hindering  the  Indians  from  carrying 
them  their  commodilics,  let  th(Mn  be  s(;ttl<'d  where  tiiey  will, 
and  with  all  tlu;  precautions  we  can  possibly  take,  except  by 
causinjrthem  to  lind  the  sani(!  advantaire  in  tradiu":  with  us 
ns  in  the  province  of  New- York."     Charlevoix  gives  an   m- 
tercoting  descri[)tion  of  a  council  of  the  chiefs  of  the  three 
villages  which   W(!re   H(!ar   Detroit.     Its  first  objcict  was  to 
persuade  the  chiefs  of  the  three;  villages  to  prohibit  the  selling 
of  brandy  to  their  tribes,  and  the  second  point  was  to  combine 
these  tribes   with  the  b'rench  in  a  war  against  the  Foxes. 
He  was  struck  with  the  splendid  and  dignified  eloquence  of 
tlie  Huron  and  Potawatamie  cliiels,  in  which  they  expatia- 
ted upon  the  evil  consecpiences  of  that  stimulant  upon  the 
Indian  tribes ;  but  at  the  same  time  they  anirmod  that  the 
French  migiit  use  their  pleasure  in  selling  the  Indians  bran- 
dy ;*  and  that  iliey  had  done  well,  liad  they  not  supplied  them 
with  any  ;  but  that  they  had  becoin(!  so  accustomed  to  it,  they 
could  no  lou<:er  be  without  it.     In  regard  to  the  second  point, 
it  was  concluded  that  nothing  could  be  determined  in  refer- 
ence to  a  war  with  the  Foxes,  until  there  was  a  general  coun- 
cil of  all  the  nations  who  acknowledged  Onondio  (tlie  In- 
dian name    of  the   French    king)  for  their  father.      They 
doubted  not  that  the  war  might  be  deemed  necessary  ;  but 
the  Indians  would  probably  have  but  little  confidence  in  the 


mm 


*  Niimeroua  discussions  had  bofuro  been  held  between  the  ecclesiastics  and 
M.  do  Frontenac,  as  well  ns  the  Baron  d'Avanijour,  rosjardino  the  propriety  or 
selling  ardent  yptrits  to  the  Indians  ;  and  the  Jesuits  tinally  prevailed  in  abal  sh* 
ing  the  practice. 


m 


62 


HISTORY    OP    MICHTGAN. 


n. 


Siia 


m. 


French,  who  Iiad  once  before  united  with  them  in  exterminat- 
incr  a  common  enemy,  but  wlio  hud  made  peace  with  them 
before  they  had  consulted  their  allies. 

The   Ottawas   took  no  part  in  the  discussions,  but  tney 
seemed  to  coincide  in  the  deliberations  of  the  council. 

"  On  the  7th  of  June,  which  was  the  day  of  my  arrival  at 
the  fort  (Detroit),  Mons.  de  Tonti,  who  commands  here,  as- 
sembled  the  chiefs  of  these  villages  I  have  just  mentioned,  to 
communicate  to  them  the  orders  he  had  received  from  the 
Marquis  do  Vaudreuil.     They  heard  him  calmly  and  without 
interruption.     When  he  had  done  speaking,  the  orator  of  the 
Hurons  told  him,  in  a  few  words,  that  they  were  going  to  con- 
sult about  what  he  had  proposed  to  them,  and  would  give 
him  their  answer  in  a  short  time.     It  is  the  custom  of^lhe 
Indians  not  to  give  an  immediate  answer  on  an  affair  of  any 
importance.      Two  days  afterwards,  they  assembled   at  the 
Commandant's,  who  was  desirous  I  should  be  present  at  this 
council,  to'M-ther  with  the  oillcers  of  the  garrison.     Sasteratfi, 
whom  the  French  call  king  of  the  Hurons,  and  who  is,  in 
fact,  hereditary  chief  of  the  Tionnontatez,  who  are  the  truo 
Hurons,  was  also  present  on  tliis  occasion,  but  as  he  is  still  a 
minor,  he  came  only  for  form's  sake  ;  his  uncle,  who  governs 
in  his  name,  and  who  is  called  regent,  spoke  in  quality  of 
orator  of  the  nation.  Now,  the  lionor  of  speaking  in  the  name 
of  the  whole,  is  generally  given  to  some  Huron  when  any 
of  them  happen  to  bo  of  the  council.  The  first  view  of  their  as- 
semblies gives  you  no  great  idea  of  the  body.    Imagine  to  your- 
self, madamo,  half  a  score  savages,  almost  stark  naked  ;  with 
their  hair  disposed  in  as  many  different  manners  as  there  are 
persons  in  the  assembly,  and  all  of  them  equally  ridiculous  ; 
some  with  laced  hats,  all  with  pijies  in  their  mouths,  and  wiih 
the  most  unthinking  faces.     It  is,  besides,  a  rare  thing  to  hear 
one  utter  so  much  as  a  single  word  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
or  to  hear  any  answer  made,  even  in  monosyllables ;  not  the 
least  mark  of  distinction  nor  any  respect  paid  to  any  person 
whatsoever.    Wes/ioidd,  however,  be  apt  to  c/mnn-e  our  opi- 
nion, ofthe'ji  upon  hearing  the  result  nf  their  dcliherations:'* 

■'  Charlevoix's  .lournal,  vol.  2,  p.  9. 


IM 


CONDITION   OP    MICHIGAN    UNDER    THE   FRENCH. 


63 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Character  of  the  French  colonists  in  Michigan — Merchants — Coureurs  des  Bois 
— Hulf-hreeds— The  Pensantry— Legal  Administration— Policy  of  the  French 
Government — Indian  Mylholo'jy  of  the  Lakes— Land  Distribution — Coloni- 
zatioa  increased — Fur  Trade  on  the  lakes. 

The  French  emigrants  scattered  along  the  hike  frontier  ot 
Michigan,  previous  to  the  year  1760,  were  clnefly  from  the 
provinces  of  Picardy  and  Normandy  in  France.  Without 
aspiring  to  \ho  aristocratic  rank  of  the  nohlcsse,  who  had  con- 
ffreorated  in  th  >  region  of  Quebec  and  Montreal,  they  were 
accustomed  to  reverence  the  authority  which  had  before  been 
exercised  over  them  under  the  French  monarchy  in  their  na- 
tive land.  The  French  colonies  upon  the  shores  of  Michi- 
gan had  been  founded  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  do- 
minion and  prosecuting  the  fur  trade  into  the  Indian  territory. 
The  Frenchmen  who  were  sent  out  from  the  head-quarters 
of  the  colonial  government,  were  expected  to  undergo  the 
hardships  of  the  forest  in  accomplishing  these  objects;  and 
Ihey  consisted  of  tlie  conmiandants  of  the  posts,  merchants, 
Jesnits,  priests,  traders,  soldiers,  and  the  peasantry.  A  small 
part  of  the  population  was  local.  The  inhabitants  belonged 
to  a  system  of  machinery  in  religion  and  trade,  Avhich  was 
constantly  being  moved  from  post  to  post. 

The  most  prominent  individuals  at  the  trading  posts,  be- 
sides the  commandants,  were  the  Frcncli  merchants,  who 
generally  had  their  houses  near  the  forts,  and  tho  half-breeds, 
the  offspring  of  the  rangers  of  the  woods,  and  the  Indians. 
The  old  French  merchant  at  his  post  was  the  head  inan  of  his 
settlement.  Careful,  frugal,  without  much  enterprise,  judg- 
ment, or  rigid  virtue,  ho  was  employed  in  procuring  skins  from 
the  Indians  or  traders  in  exchange  for  mannfactured  goods.  In 
the  absence  of  any  better  frame  of  government,  the  merchants 
were  reverenced  as  the  patrons  of  their  settlement.  Their  po- 
licy was  to  exercise  their  influence  with  paternal  mildness,  so 


s ; 


f'ti 


1 


1 


64 


HI.STOav    OP    MICHIOAN 


as  to  prevent  rebellion,  to  keep  on  good  terms  with  the  Indians 
in  order  to  secure  their  trade;  and  they  frequently  fostered  a 
large  number  of  laalf-breed  children,  who  were  the  offspring 
of  their  licentiousness. 

The  Cnnreurs  des  Bois,  or  rangers  of  the  woods,  were 
either  French  or  half-breeds,  a  hardy  race,  accustomed  to  la- 
bor and  deprivation,  and  conversant  with  the  character  and 
habits  of  the  Indians,  from  whom  they  procured  their  cargoes 
of  furs.     They  were  equally  skilled  in  propelling  a  canoe, 
fishing,  hunting,   trapping,   or  sending   a    ball   from   their 
rifles  « to  the  right  eye"  of  the  buffiilo.     If  of  mixed  blood,  they 
generally  spoke  the  language  of  their  parents,  the  French 
an  J  Indian  ;  and  knew  just  enough  of  their  religion  to  be  re- 
gardless of  both.     Employed  by  the  aristocratic  French  fur 
companies  as  voyageurs  or  guides,  their  forms  were  developed 
to  the  fullest  vigor,  by  propelling  the  canoe  through  the  lakes 
and  streams,  and  by  carrying  large  packs  of  goods  across  the 
portages  of  the  interior  by  straps  suspended  from  their  fore- 
heads or  shoulders.     These  voyageurs  knew  every  rock  and 
island,  bay  and  shoal,  of  the  western  waters.      The  ordinary 
dress  of  the  white  portion  of  the  Canadian  French  tracers  was 
a  cloth  passed  a'unitthe  middle,  a  loose  shirt,  a  "molton"  or 
blanket  coat,  and  a  red  milled  or  worsted  cap.*     The  half- 
breeds  were  demi-savage  in  their  dress  as  well  as  their  cha- 
racter and  appearance.     They  sometimes  wore  a  surtout  of 
coarse  blue  cloth,  reaching  down  to  the  mid  leg,  elk-skin 
t  owsers,  with  the  seams  adorned  with    fringes,  a    scarlet 
woollen  sash  tied  around  the  waist,  in  which'  Wu.  stuck  a 
broad   knife,  to  be  used  in   dissecting  the  carcases  of  ani- 
mals  taken   in  hunting;   buck-skin  moccasins,   and  a  cap 
made  of  the  same  materials  with  the  surtout.t    Affable,  gay, 
and  licentious,  these  men  were  employed  by  the  French  mer- 
chants as  guides,  canoe-men,  steersmen,  or  rangers,  to  ad- 
vance, in  their  large  canoes,  into  the  remotest  wilderness,  and 
to  traffic  their  European  goods  for  peltries,  depositing  them  at 
the  several  French  depots  on  the  lakes,  whence  they  were 
transported  to  Quebec  and  Montreal. 

♦  Henry,  p.  34.  f  Some  of  this  class  may  now  be  seen  on  the  lakes. 


CONDITION    OK    MICHIGAN    UNDlCa    TIIK    FRr.NCII.        55 

The  peasantry,  or  that  portion  of  the  French  population 
who  devoted  themselves  to  agriculturG,  inaiiituined  the  habits, 
which  were  broujjht  from  thu  provinces  whence  they  emigrat- 
ed ;  and  these  are  retained  to  the  present  time.     While  tiio 
gentlemen  preserved  the  garb  of  the  age  of  Louis  XIV,  the 
peasants  wore  a  long  surtout,  sash,  red  cap,  and  deer-skin 
moccasins.     This  singular  mixture  of  character  was  made 
more  strange  by  the  Indians  who  loitered  around  the  posts, 
the  French  soldiers,  with  blue  coats  turned  up  with  white  fac- 
ings, and  short  clothes,  and  by  the  number  of  priests  and 
Jesuits  who  had  their  stations  around  the  forts.     xVgi'ic'iUure 
was  but  little  encouraged,  either  by  the  policy  of  the  fur  trade 
or  the  industry  of  the  inhabitants.     It  was  limited  to  a  few 
patches  of  corn  and  wheat,  which  were  cultivated  in  pro- 
found ignorance  of  the  principles  of  good  husbandry.     Their 
grain  was  ground  in  windmills.      The  enterprise  of  the 
French  women  was  directed  to  the  making  up  of  coarse  cot- 
ton and  woollen  clothes  for  the  Indian  trade.     Their  amuse- 
ments were  confined  to  dancing  to  the  sound  of  the  violin,  in 
simple   and  unaffected  assemblies  at  each   other's  houses ; 
or  in  attending  tlie  festivals  of  their  church,  hunting  in  the 
forests,  or  paddling  their  canoes  across  the  silent  streams.* 
The  wilderness  gave  them  abundance  of  game;  and  the 
lake-herring,  the  bass,  the  pike,  the  gar,  the  mosquenonge, 
and  sturgeon,  swarmed  in  the  waters.     The  Mackinaw  trout, 
sometimes  weighing  fifty  pounds,  pampered  their  taste ;  and 
the  white  fish,  of  which,  says  Charlevoix, «  nothing  of  the  fish 
kind  can  excel  it,"  flashed  its  silver  scales  in  the  sun. 

The  administration  of  the  law  was  such  as  might  properly 
be  expected,  where  no  civil  courts  were  organised  and  all 
was  elemental.  The  military  arm  was  the  only  effective 
power  to  command  what  was  right  and  to  prohibit  what  was 
wrong.  The  commandant  of  the  fort,  under  the  cogmzance 
of  the  Governor-general  of  Canada,  was  the  legislator,  the 
judge,  and  the  executive.  Acompact  and  ripened  frame  of  juris- 

*  For  important  tacts  connected  with  this  period,  I  am  indebted  to  a  manu- 
script,  submitted  by  the  kindness  of  John  R.  Wilhams,  and  furnished  h.tn  by  a 
contemporary. 


66 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


<■'    <I 


11  ■" 


prudence  can  only  exist,  where  there  is  suflicient  intcMigence  to 
mark  out  ai.d  adjudge  the  rule  of  civil  right  and  physical  pow- 
er to  enforce  it.  But  the  natural  court(>.syorthe  French  of  every 
grade,  the  mild,.. \s;  uf  flu-  jurisdiction' which  was  exercised 
over  them  by  the  coaiinandants  of  the  forts,  tended  to  do  away 
that  motive  Ibr.iuariol  which  results  from  tii.>  sliarp  collisions 
of  men  in  densely-settled  states.     IJy  consequence  there  was 
little  litigation.     A  notarial  book  was  Im  pt,  in  which  were  re- 
corded all  the  circumstances  and  relations  of  the  colonists, 
the  marriages,  the  conveyaneos  pfluiids,  contracts,  the  c  -nduct 
of  the  emigrants,  the  dau-  of  their  emigration,  the  articles 
delivered  to  them  in  consideration  of  their  cultivating  the  soil, 
so  that  the  Catholic  priest  or  the  commandant  of  the  fort 
might  look  upon  their  condition  as  upon  a  map.     No  efforts 
were    made  for  general  eduration,  and  all    the   knowledge 
acquired  by  the  younger  portion  of  the  colonists  was  obtain- 
ed from  the  priests  and  referred  to  the  tenets  of  the  Catholic 
church. 

The  social  condition  of  the  French  upon  the  lakes  was  ac- 
cordingly of  a  less  ambi(i(ius  cast  than  the  colonial  establish- 
ments at  Quebec  and  Montreal.  At  those  places  were  concen- 
trated all  the  pomp  and  splendor  which  belonged  to  the  I^'rench 
government  in  this  part  of  America.     There,  were  collected 
the  noblesse,  the  bishop,  the  colleges  of  the  Jesuits,  and  all 
that  was  imposing  in  tlie  Canadian  state  as  well  as  the  church. 
The  emigrants  on  the  lakes  were  of  more  humble  origin,  who 
were  despatched  to  these  posts  for  the  purpose  of  buildfng'them 
up  and  arranging  convenient  dcp Ms  for  the  trade,  as  it^circu- 
lated  through  the  whole  extent  of  the  north-western   waters. 
These  emigrants  were  sent  out  from  tli<'  head-quarters  of  the 
colonial  establishments,  and  provided  by  the  aijency  of  the 
government,  through  the  commissary's  department,  with  cau- 
vass  for  tents,  hoes,  axes,  sickles,  a  certain  amount  of  grain,  ve- 
nison, powder,  ball,  and  cattle  ;  a  part  of  which  were  to  be  re- 
turned within  a  specified  time  when  a  certain  amount  of 
land  should  be  cleared.* 


Mi^ 


•  See  a  notariu!  record  of  1717  in  Fren.i,,  now  preserved  at  Detroit 


I' 


CONDITION    OF    MICHIGAN    UNDEU    TIIK    FRENCH. 


57 


The  volatile   and   mitjrntory  disposition   natural   to   tho 
French  people,  increased  by  the  rovinjj  habits  of  the  fur  trade, 
was  under  the  rigid  surveillance  of  the  Catholic  clergy.   Tho 
Jesuits  and  the  priests  exercised  an  inquisitorial  power  over 
every  class  of  the  little  commonwealth  upon  the  lakes,  and 
the  community  became  thus  subjected  thoroughly  to  their  in- 
fluence, \vhich  was  artful,  though  mild  andbeneticent.     The 
utmost  satisfaction  was  experienced  by  the  French  colonists  in 
attending  the  ordinances  of  the  church,  and  kneeling  upon  the 
floor  of  the  rude  chapel  before  the  altar,  counting  their  beads, 
or  mukaig  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  iheir  foreheads  with 
lioly  water  from  the  baptismal  font.     The  Jesuits  and  priests, 
with  their  long  gowns  and  black  bands,  were,  however,  not  so 
successful  with  the  savages.    By  them  the  clorj^y  were  deemed 
"  medicine  men"  and  jugglers,  on  whnn  the  destinies  of  life  and 
death  depended.     If  a  silver  crucifix,  the  painting  of  a  Ma- 
donna, a  carved  saint,  an  ancient  book,  or  the  satin  vestments 
of  the  priests,  embroidered  with  flowers  of  pur|)le  and  gold, 
sometimes  came  before  their  eyes,  it  was  believed  that  they 
were  hut  implements  of  incantation,  by  which  the  souls  of  those 
on  'arth  were  to  be  spirited  away  to  heaven.     It  was  naturnlly 
thought  that  this  was  the  peculiar  province  of  the  mission- 
ttries  ;  and  there  is  evidence  of  an  Iroquois  warrior,  who  threat- 
ened the  life  of  a  Catholic  priest  who  ministered  beside  the  mat 
of  an  ao-ed  savage  on  the  verge  of  death,  unless  ho  should  res- 
cue tl  '.  dying  Indian  from  the  grave.*     The  contrast  derived 
from  this  state  of  things  was  extraordinary.     The  lonely  al- 
tar, erected  from  roUj,-h  stones  under  the  clustering  boughs  ot 
the  wilderness,  adorned  with  rude      indlesticks,  crosses  and 
censers  wrought  from  the  copper  ol  'he  lakes,  was  often  sur- 
rounded by  Indians,  naked,  or  arrayrd  in  the  rough  costume 
of  their  tribes,  the  wrought  skin  of  the  elk,  the  deer,  and 
the  buffalo,  with  the  cincture  of  the  war  eagle,  only  worn  by 
taiincnt  warriors,  crowning  Ih'nr  heads;  witli  necklaces  of 
bears'  cluws,  and  moccasins  embroidered  with   the    stained 
quills  of  the  porcupine:  and  they  gazed  at  the  strange  '  xor- 

♦  Anonymous  Missionary  Journal  of  Travels  in  Canada,  published  in  Pans. 

8 


m  i 


im    I 


68 


III.SroriY    OK    MICflKi.VN. 


cisms  which  they  saw  before  thetn,  or  heard  the  cnant  and  the 
requiem  as  they  went  up  to  heaven  amid  the  yell  of  the  panther 
and  the  howlinjr  of  the  wolf.  The  inHuence  of  religion  acting 
upon  the  rough  and  savajrc  features  of  barbarism,  stamps  the 
scene  with  a  mild  beauty  springing  from  contrast,  like  the 
rainbow  which  bends  upon  the  storm  !  No  sculptured  mar- 
ble adorned  the  soil ;  no  golden  lamps  tlamed  upon  the  co- 
lumns of  ancient  cathedrals,  attesting  the  presence  of  lurury 
and  the  arts.  But  the  solitary  bark  chapels  of  the  missionaries, 
surmounted  by  the  cross,  looked  out  upon  a  domain  of  prai- 
ries, waters,  and  forests,  the  palace  could  not  boast  of. 

"  Iris  all  hues  ;  roses  and  jessamine, 
Reared  high  their  flourished  heads  between,  and  wrought 
Mosaic ;  under  foot  the  violet, 
Crocus,  and  hyacinth,  with  rich  inlay 
Broidered  tho  ground,  more  colored  than  with  stones 
Of  costliest  emblem." 

Another  fact,  which  tended  to  strengthen  the  singular  charac- 
ter of  the  coast  of  Michigan  at  that  period,  was  the  Indian 
mythology  of  the  north-western  lakes.  Whether  this  Indian 
mythology  was  founded  on  the  circumstance,  that  the  region 
of  the  lakes  had  been  long  the  central  point  of  the  Algonquin 
power, .  where  their  systems  had  been  organized  for  ages  ; 
whether  it  sprang  from  the  bold  and  solitary  features  of  tlie 
lake  scenery  inspiring  the  savage  mind  with  superstition  ;  or 
how  far  it  has  since  been  moulded  with  the  instructions  of 
the  Jesuits,  which  assumed  the  form  of  allegory  in  order  to 
impress  the  savage  mind— is  not  now  clearly  known.  This  my- 
thology, did,  however,  in  fact,  exist,  and  has  been  transmitted 
to  the  present  time.  The  rocks  and  islands,  lakes  and  streams, 
groves  and  cataracts,  around  the  shores  of  Michigan,  like  those 
of  the  Grecian  and  Roman  states,  each  had  its  presiding 
genii,  good  or  evil  ;  and  the  Indian  legends  not  only  accounted 
for  the  creation  of  the  earth  and  every  prominent  object  of  na- 
ture, but  also  peopled  the  stars  with  spirits  .  Fairies  of  the  land 
and  the  water  floated  through  the  forests  and  danced  along 
the  streams.  Spirits,  or  "  manitou's''  of  darkness,  performed 
their  orgies  amid  thunder-storms,  upon  the  shores  of  tho 


im 


CONDITION    or    MICIIIOAN    UNDER   THE    FRENCH.        69 


great  lakes,  and  its  islands  were  alleged  to  abound  in  golden 
sands,  and  to  be  watched,  like  the  golden  fleece,  by  huge  ser- 
pents, which  lay  coiled  upon  their  banks  ;  birds  of  prey,  and 
enormous  giants.  To  these  they  offered  sacrifices  of  tobacco, 
pipes  and  other  articles  of  little  value.  When  Charlevoix  vi- 
sited this  region  in  1721,  ho  was  told  by  the  Indians  thatiWt- 
chobou  was  the  Mayiitou  of  the  lakes,  the  God  of  the  waters ; 
that  the  island  of  Mackinaw*  was  the  place  of  his  birth,  and 
that  he  tbrmed  all  the  lakes  and  streams  of  the  country.  Sacri 
ficoswere  at  that  time  made  by  the  Indians  to  Lake  Superior,  as 
it  was  created  by  this  deity  in  order  to  permit  the  savages  to 
catch  beaver  ;  and  they  believed  tliat  the  fragments  of  rock 
which  break  the  Falls  of  St.  Mary,  and  the  other  rapids  in  this 
quarter,  were  the  remains  of  a  causeway  he  had  erected  to  dam 
up  the  waters  of  the  rivers.t  If  these  forest-gods  were  ap- 
peased by  the  savages,  they  were  entitled  to  the  celestial  re- 
gions beyond  the  mountains ;  but  if  they  neglected  them,  they 
would  be  consigned  to  wander  for  ever  "  up  and  down,"  amid 
dreary  solitudes,  under  the  care  of  monsters  "  sixty  feet  in 
height,"  and  to  be  "  stung  by  gnats  as  large  as  pigeons."t 

The  form  of  land  distribution  in  Michigan  was  calculated 
to  prevent  agriculture,  and  to  keep  the  French  peasantry  in 
rigid  allegiance  to  their  lords.  Grants  of  land  were  made  by 
the  Frcnch'governor  of  Canada  and  Louisiana,  which  were 
required  to  be  confirmed  by  the  king  of  France.  The  com- 
mandants of  the  forts  were  also  allowed  to  grant  permissions 
of  occupancy  to  the  settlers,  and  lands  were  occupied  by  the 
French  settlers  without  permission.  On  that  ground  are 
based  some  of  the  old  French  titles  to  land  in  the  state.  The 
reo-ular  grants  made  to  the  settlers  were  encumbered  with  the 
most  illiberal  and  burdensome  conditions,  calculated  to  cripple 
the  freedom  of  the  tenant  and  the  progress  of  husbandry. 

♦  The  name  of  this  island  is  derived  from  the  words  michi-mackinac,  a  great 
turtle,  from  its  resemblance  to  that  animal ;  or  from  the  Chippewa  terms  michi 
m  maukinonk,  signifying  the  place  of  g'ant  fairies. 

\  Charlevoix's  Journal,  vol.  2,  p.  44,  45.  See  also,  for  an  account  of  the 
Indian  mytholosy,  the  old  Jesuit  journals;  Carver  Henry  ;  and  also  a  work  of 
Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  to  be  entitled  "  Algie  Researches." 

i  See  Henry's  Travels. 


;t 


60 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN, 


W 


i 


Even  tlie  first  grant  which  was  made  at  Detroit,  in  1707,  six 
years  after  Detroit  was  founded,  by  Antoine  de  la  Motte  Ca- 
dillac to  Fraiigois  Fufurd  Delorme,  interpreter  for  the  king, 
clearly  exhibits  the  feudal  spirit  of  the  French  policy.     It  con- 
veyed only  thirty-two  acres.     The  following  were  its  general 
conditions.*     The  right  of  hunting  hares,  rabbits,  and  par- 
tridges, was  reserved.     The  grantee  was  required  to  pay  five 
livres  quit-rent  on  the  20th  of  March  of  each  year  ;  and  also 
the  sum  of  ten  livres  in    peltries,   until  a  current  money 
should  be  establisiicd,  and  that  sum  was  thenceforward  to 
be  paid  in  money.     He  was  also  required  to  begin  to  clear  and 
improve  the  concession  within  three  months  from  the  date 
of  the  grant  on  pain  of  forfeitare.     He  was  required  to  plant, 
or  help  to  plant,  a  long  May-pole  at  the  door  of  the  princi- 
pal manor  on  the  \st  of  May  in  every  year.     If  the  gran- 
tee failed  in  this,  he  was  bound  to  pay  three  livres  in  money 
or  peltries.     He  was  also  bound  to  pay  for  the  right  of  grind- 
ing at  the  monlin  bannal,  or  mill  of  the  manor.     A  pre-emp- 
tion right  was  reserved  to  the  grantor.     All  the  timber  wanted 
for  the  construction  of  fortifications,  boats,  and  other  vessels, 
was  reserved  ;  and  no  person  was  permitted  to  uork  on  the 
land  at  tlie  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  gunsmith,  armorer,  or  brew- 
er, within  the  first  ten  years  from  the  date  of  the  grant,  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  grantor.     On  every  sale  of  tlie  lands,  the 
duty  was  to  be  paid  called  the  lods  et  ventes.     All  effects 
carried  to  or  from  Montrer '   were  required  to  be  sold  by  the 
grantee  or  other  person,  who,  with  his  family,  was  a  resident, 
and  not  by  clerks,  foreigners,  or  strangers.     If  the  grantee 
sold  to  a  foreigner  with  permission,  the  duties  required  were 
increased  to  a  great  degroe.     The  grantee  was  forbidden  to 
trade  brandy  witli  the  Indians,  and  in  some  cases  he  was 
bound  to  obtain  a  brevet  of  confirmation  within  two  years.! 
Similar  grants,  equally  burdensome,  were  also  made  in  1734, 
by  Charles  Marquis  de  Bcauharnois,  Governor  for  the  king 
in  Canada,  and  Louisiana  to  St.  Aubin  ;  and  in  1750  by 

*  Consult  American  State  Papers,  class  V!II.  p.  191.    Only  three  French 
grunts  at  Detroit  appear  on  record  previous  to  17?3. 

t  Consult  u'jie  A  at  the  end  dftliia  volume,  where  the  grant  may  be  found. 


I 


CONDITION    OF    MICHIGAN    UNDER   THE    FRENCH. 


61 


Da  la  Jonquiere  to  Antoiiie  Robert,  of  lands  on  the  Detroit 
lliver.*  Tlie  abridgment  of  the  rights  of  the  tenants  was 
further  effected  in  1745,  by  an  edict  which  was  passed,  or- 
daining that  no  country-houses  should  be  built  on  planta- 
tions of  one  acre  and  a  half  in  front  and  forty  back,  and  the 
scarcity  of  springs  in  the  interior  thus  confined  the  settle- 
ments alonsr  the  banks  of  the  streams.  The  influence  of  na- 
tional  policy  is  nowhere  more  strongly  exhibited  than  in  the 
contrast  with  that  period,  of  the  sturdy  American  enterprise 
which  is  now  acting  on  the  «oil. 

Beside  the  unequal  and  burdensome  tenure  of  land  dis- 
tribution, springing  from  the  Coutume  de  Paris,i  equal 
and  exact  justice  could  not  be  administered  in  doubtful 
matters,  except  on  application  to  the  Governor  of  Canada. 
At  a  subsequent  period  numerous  grants  were  made  by 
Rquottlec  de  Bellestre,  the  commandant  of  Detroit ;  and  there 
is  on  record  a  cause  of  Claude  Campeau  against  M.  Cabacier. 
praying  for  an  injunction  to  prevent  the  demolition  of  a  mill 
when  M.  Landrieve  was  commandant  of  that  post.  In  1753 
a  temporary  order  was  given,  sent  to  the  Governor-general, 
and  finally  received  the  signature  of  the  Marquis  Du  Q,uesne.{ 
The  record  shows  that  the  government  of  the  posts  on  the 
lakes  was  subject  to  the  authority  of  the  commandants 
under  the  cognizance  of  the  Governor-general ;  and  it  also  es- 
tablishes the  fact,  that  there  was  no  organised  court  or  settled 
system  of  jraisprudence.§ 

In  1749  a  number  of  emigrants  were  sent  out  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  French  government,  who  were  provided  with 
farming  utensils,  and  all  the  mears  necessary  to  advance  a 

+  See  American  State  Papers,  class  VIII.  p.  270,  1,  2. 

t  The  principal  conditions  springing  froni  grants  under  the  Coutume  de  Parh 
wore,  the  (Itiinl,  whicii  was  tlie  fifth  part  of  the  purchas*?  money  of  an  estate  held 
in  fief.  Relief,  the  rent  or  revenue  of  one  year,  for  mutation  fine.  Lods  el  Vcn- 
tes  were  fines  of  alienation  of  one  twclftli  part  of  the  purchase  money,  pan!  to 
tlie  seigneur  hy  tlie  purchaser  on  the  transfer  of  property.  Franc  aleu  uohle, 
was  a  freehold  estate,  acknowledging  no  lord  but  the  king.  Ccnsive,  was  an  es- 
tate held  in  the  feudal  mode,  suhjoct  to  the  seignorial  dues.  Comnmnanle  dt 
Lien,  was  a  partnership  in  property  by  marriage. 

I  Conanlt  American  Slate  fapor^,  class  VHl.  p.  27^ 

§  See  Note  B  at  tli.-  end  of  this  volume. 


y 


\r 


IH-! 


62 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIQA.V. 


colony.  These  were  settled  at  Detroit ;  but  no  material  advan- 
tage was  gained  to  tlie  posts  on  the  lakes,  because  there  was 
too  little  energy  and  system  in  the  government,  and  too  little 
enterprise  in  the  poonle.  Surrounded  by  streams  and  forests 
yielding  abundance,  removed  from  the  settled  portion  of  the 
world,  there  was  but  little  motive  presented  to  their  minds 
for  the  exertion  of  energy  and  ambition. 

About  this  period  the  policy  of  the  Fn  tich  Government 
Avas  exercised  to  establish  a  chain  of  posts  from  Quebec  to  the 
month  of  the  Mississippi,  in  order  to  secure  the  trade,  over- 
awe the  Indians,  and  environ  the  English  power,  which  was 
then  confined  to  the  Atlantic  sea-board.  In  1751  the  fort  of 
Detroit,  as  well  as  those  on  the  upper  lakes,  continued  to  be 
in  a  weak  coiidition.  About  thirty  French  farms  or  planta- 
tions were  scattered  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  the  co- 
lony contained  a  population  of  about  five  hundred,  besides 
the  Indians  in  the  three  villages,  who  could  at  that  time  com- 
mand about  four  hundred  warriors.  Detroit  was  then  an  im- 
portant point  of  French  influence  on  the  north-western 
lake.." 

The  progress  of  the  country  under  the  French  government 
was  obstructed  by  the  fact  .:hat  this  region  was  long  under 
the  monopoly  of  exclusive  companies  chartered  by  the  French 
crown.  The  design  of  these  companies,  especially  the  go- 
vernors and  intendants,  was  to  enrich  themselves  by  the  fur 
trade  ;  and  accordingly  they  !iad  little  motive  to  encourage 
agriculture  or  general  settlement.  By  that  policy  the  intend- 
ants accumulated  larire  fortunes  by  the  trade,  while  they  avert- 
ed from  the  observation  of  the  French  crown  the  actual  con- 
dition of  the  colonies  in  Canada.  They  much  preferred  that 
the  French  inhabitants  should  undergo  the  labor  of  procuring 
furs,  while  tliey  might  reap  the  profits,  rather  than  that  these 
tenants  should  become  the  free  husbandmen  of  a  fertile  soil- 
It  was  reverence  for  rank,  ignorance  of  the  true  principles 
of  republican  frejdovn,  and,  in  some  measure  perhaps,  a  vir- 
tuous loyalty  which  they  felt  toward  their  monarch,  that 

♦  S(!(!  a  P,»mpMpf,  enlitlod  "Contcgt  in  America,"  &c.,  a  part  of  which  wag 
publislieJ  ill  the  (Jiiivcrsal  Mii^azinc  at  London  in  ihe  year  1759. 


COXDITION    OP   MICHIGAN    UNDER    THE    FRENCH. 


&3 


induced  them  to  yield  their  allegiance  to  the  colonial  admi- 
nistration. 

The  fur  trade  was  the  principal  subject  of  mercantile  traf- 
fic upon  the  coast  of  Michigan,  and  its  central  point  was  the 
shores  of  the  north-western  lakes.  Large  canoes,  laden  with 
packs  of  European  merchandize,  advanced  periodically  through 
the  upper  lakes,  for  the  purpose  of  trading  for  peltries  with 
the  Indians  ;  and  these  made  their  principal  deputs  at  Michili- 
mackinac  and  Detroit.  In  order  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  trade,  licenses  were  granted  by  the  French  king,  and  un- 
licensed persons  were  prohibited  from  trading  with  the  In- 
dians in  their  own  territory  under  the  penalty  of  death.  The 
ordinary  price  of  these  licenses  was  six  hundred  crowns. 
They  were  generally  purchased  from  the  Governor-general 
by  the  merchants,  and  by  them  sold  out  to  the  Canadian  tra- 
ders or  the  Coureurs  des  Bois.  The  privilege  granted  in  a 
single  license,  was  the  loading  of  two  large  canoes,  each  of 
which  was  manned  by  six  men,  and  freighted  with  a  f  ■» 
valued  at  about  a  thousand  crowns.  They  were  s  Jid  to  ine 
traders  at  an  advance  of  about  fifteen  per  cf~..t.  more  than  they 
could  command  in  ready  money  at  the  '  ok  r  .  The  actual 
profits  on  these  voyages  was  generally  ;.'^.at  one  hundred 
per  cent.  In  this  traffic  the  merchant  acquired  most  of  the 
profit,  while  the  trader  endured  most  of  the  fatigue.  On  the 
return  of  the  expedition,  the  merchant  took  from  the  bulk  of 
the  profit  six  hundred  crowns  for  his  license,  and  a  thou- 
sand crowns  for  the  prime  cost  of  the  exported  goods.  From 
this  sum  the  merchant  took  forty  per  cent,  for  bottomry,  and 
the  remainder  was  then  divided  among  the  six  Coureurs  des 
Bois,  whose  share,  for  all  their  hardship  and  peril,  was  only 
a  small  consideration. 

The  active  agents  of  the  fur  trade  were  the  Coureurs  des 
Bois,  the  pilots  of  the  lakes.  Sweeping  up  in  their  canoes 
throngh  the  upper  lakes,  encamping  with  the  Indians  in  the 
solitude  of  the  forests,  they  returned  to  the  posts,  which  stood 
like  light-houses  of  civilization  upon  the  borders  of  the  wil- 
derness ;  like  sailors  from  the  ocean,  to  whom  they  were  not 
dissimilar ,Jn  character.     They  wore  lavish  of  their  money 


I 


^^ 


'1  ^  \ 


64 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


in  dress  and  licentiousness.  They  ate.  drank,  and  played  all 
away,  so  long  as  their  goods  held  out ;  and  when  these  were 
gone,  they  sold  their  embroidery,  their  lace  and  clothes  ;  and 
they  were  then  forced  to  go  on  another  voyage  for  subsist- 
ence.* 

The  scope  of  French  enterprise  upon  the  lakes  was  niaiii!y 
confined  to  the  fur  trade  during  the  whole  period  of  the 
French  domination  ;  and  the  general  course  of  the  trad;,  may 
be  known  by  the  words  of  La  Hontan,  written  at  Montreal 
in  1685  : 

"  Much  about  the  same  day,  there  arrived  twenty-five  or  thir- 
ty canoes  belonging  to  the  Coiirenrs  des  Bois,hemg  homeward 
bound  for  the  great  lakes,  and  laden  with  beaver  skins.  The 
cargo  of  each  canoe  amounted  to  forty  packs,  each  of  which 
weighs  fifty  pounds,  and  will  fetch  fifty  crowns  at  the  far- 
mer's office.  These  canoes  were  followed  by  fifty  more  cf  the 
Ottawas  and  Hurons,  who  came  down  every  year  to  the  colony, 
in  order  to  make  a  better  market  than  they  can  do  in  their  own 
country  of  Michilimackinack  which  lies  on  the  banks  of  the 


♦  La  Hontan,  vol.  l,p.20,  21. 

It  has  been  remarked,  that  the  character  of  the  French  people  can  bo  infer- 
red from  their  songs.  This  is  peculiarly  true  in  regard  to  the  boat-songs  of  the 
Coureurs  des  Boh,  which  they  timed  with  their  nfiddles  upon  the  waters.  They 
demonstrate  the  gay,  licentious,  and  reckless  character  of  these  forest  marincrf;. 
Among  the  most  popular  are  the  two  following,  which  are  now  heard  upon  the 
north-western  lakes  ;  and  they  were  probably  imported  from  the  French  provin- 
ces whence  the  traders  emigrated  : — 


1. 

Tons  les  printcmps 
Tant  de  nouvclle, 
Tous  les  ainantB 
Changentde  maitresses 
Le  bon  vin  ni  endort 
L'  amour  me  reveille. 

T'  us  lea  amants 
Cliangf?nt  de  maitressrs 
du'ils  changent  qui  voudrorit 
Pour  moi  je  garde  la  mienne 
Le  bon  vin  ni  endort 
L'amour  me  revcille.f 

These  songs  have  before  been  published  in  a  work  of  talent,  entitled  "  Talcs 
of  the  North-west." 


Dans  mnn  cliemin  j'ai  rencontre 
Trois  cavaheres  bien  montocs 
Lon  ion  laridon  daine 
Lon  lon  laridon  dai. 

Trois  cavalieres  bien  montces 
L'nn  a  cheval  rt  I'autre  a  pied 
Lon  lon  laridon  dnine 
Lon  lon  laridon  dai. 


I 


CONDITION    OF    MlCHIOiAN    UNDER   THE    FRENCH.       65 


Lake  of  Hurons,  at  the  mouth  of  the  lake  of  the  lUinese.  Their 
v^ay  of  tradingisas  follows:  upon  their  arrival  they  encamp  at 
tiio  distance  of  five  or  six  hundred  prices  from  the  town.  The 
next  dayisspent  inrangingtlieircanoes,  unloading  their  goods, 
andpitchingtlieirtents,  which  are  made  of  birch  bark.  The  next 
day  they  demand  audience  of  the  Governor-general,  which  is 
granted  them  that  same  day  in  a  public  place.  Upon  this  oc- 
casion each  nation  makes  a  ring  for  itself.  The  savages  sit 
upon  the  ground  v.^ith  their  pipes  in  their  mouths,  and  the 
Governor  is  seated  in  an  arm-chair ;  after  which  there  starts  up 
an  orator  or  speaker  from  one  of  those  nations,  who  makes  an 
harangue,  importing  that  his  brethren  are  come  to  visit  the  Go- 
vcrnor-geucrul,  and  to  renew  witii  him  their  wonted  friendship : 
that  tlieir  chief  view  is  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  French, 
some  ot  whom,  being  unacquainted  with  the  way  of  traffic, 
and  being  too  weak  for  the  transporting  of  goods  from  the 
lakes,  would  be  unable  to  deal  in  beaver  skins  if  his  brethren 
did  not  come  in  person  to  deal  with  them  in  their  own  colo- 
nies ;  that  they  knew  very  well  how  acceptable  their  arrival 
is  to  the  inhabitants  of  Montreal,  in  regard  of  the  advantage 
they  reap  by  it ;  that  'n  resrard  the  beaver  skins  are  much 
valued  in  France,  and  the  French  goods  given  in  exchange 
are  of  an  inconsiderable  value,  they  mean  to  give  the  French 
sufficient  proof  oftheir  read  .:  3ssto  furnish  them  with  that  they 
desire  so  earnestly.  That  by  way  of  preparation  of  another 
year's  f-argo,  they  are  come  to  take  in  exchange,  fnsees,  pow- 
der, and  ball  ;  in  order  to  hunt  great  numbers  of  beavers,  or 
to  gall  the  Iroquese,  in  case  they  offer  to  disturb  the  French 
settlements.  And,  in  fine,  that  in  confirmation  of  their  words, 
they  throw  a  porcelain  colUr,  with  some  beaver  skins,  to  the 
Kitchi-Okima  (so  they  call  the  Governor-general),  whose 
protection  they  lay  claim  to,  in  case  of  any  robbery  or  abuse 
committed  upon  them  in  the  town.  The  spokesman  having 
made  an  end  of  his  speecli,  returns  to  his  place  and  takes  up 
his  pife  and  the  interprciter  explains  the  substance  of  the 
huririgii  J  10  the  Governor,  who  commonly  gives  a  very  civil 
answer,  especially  if  the  presents  be  valuable  ;  in  considera- 
tion of  which  he  likewise  makes  them  a  present  of  some  tri- 

9 


"I 
V 


66 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


'   m 


if  1 


:tl' 


fling  things.  This  done,  the  savages  rise  up  and  return  to 
their  huts  to  make  suitable  preparations  for  the  ensuing  truck, 
"  The  next  day  the  savages  make  their  slaves  carry  the  skins 
to  the  houses  of  the  merchants,  who  bargain  with  them  for 
such  clothes  as  tliey  want.  All  the  inhabitants  of  Montreal 
are  allowed  to  traffic  with  them  in  any  commodity  but  rum 
and  brandy ;  these  two  being  excepted  upon  the  account  that 
when  the  savages  have  got  what  they  wanted,  and  have  any 
skins  left,  they  drink  to  excess,  and  then  kill  their  slaves ;  for 
when  they  are  in  drink  they  quarrel  and  fight,  and  if  they 
were  not  held  by  those  who  are  sober,  would  certainly  make 
havock  one  of  another ;  however,  you  must  observe  that  none 
of  them  will  touch  either  gold  or  silver.* 

"  As  soon  as  the  savages  have  made  an  end  of  their  truck, 
they  take  leave  of  the  Governor,  and  so  return  home  by  the 
river  Ottawas.  To  conclude,  they  did  a  great  deal  of  good, 
both  to  the  poor  and  rich  ;  for  you  will  readily  apprehend  that 
every  bofly  turns  merchant  upon  such  occasions," 

Such  was  the  condition  of  Michigan  under  the  French 
domination.  The  energies  of  the  colonists  were  directed  to 
the  aggrandizement  of  their  seigneurs  through  the  fur  trade. 
Agriculture  was  checked  by  feudal  clogs.  The  few  French 
peasants  scattered  around  their  posts,  or  mixed  with  the  sava- 
ges, adored  their  lords  and  their  priests.  Amiable,  contented, 
removed  from  the  populated  parts  of  the  world,  dwelling  in 
bark  or  log  cottages,  stretching  along  the  banks  of' the 
streams,  and  surrounded  by  pickets,  niany  of  which  are  now 
standing,  they  were  goaded  by  no  impulse  of  ambition  or 
avarice  ;  they  felt  no  fear,  save  when  bands  of  the  Iroquois 
advanced  to  the  surrounding  forests ;  for  the  Iroquois,  says 
Charlevoix,  «  set  all  Canada  on  fire."t  They  yielded  a  cheer- 
ful allegiance  to  their  lords,  because  they  loved  monarchy. 
The  free  schools  of  the  east  had  scattered  intelligence  through 

♦  LaHontar^,  vol.  1,  p.  47. 

t  The  recollection  of  the  incursion  of  the  Iroquois  now  remains  upon  the 
shores  of  Lake  Supeiior,  Hke  that  of  the  Mohawk  upon  the  hills  ofNew  England. 
At  Uie  sound  oftheir  name  the  infant  savage  of  the  Chippewaa  will  run  to  his 
wig'A-am,  and  wrap  himself  closer  in  his  blanket. 


^1 


CONDITION   OF    MICHIGAN   UNDER   THE    FRENCH.      67 

the  English  settlements,  but  they  were  in  ignorance.  The 
conciliatory  and  mild  but  artful  spirit,  first  sent  abroad  by  Ig- 
natius Loyola  in  founding  the  order  of  the  Jesuits,  diffused 
its  influence  through  the  frame-work  of  society  in  Michigan  ; 
and  the  thunders  of  the  Vatican  had  crossed  the  ocean,  and 
rolled  along  the  shore  of  the  lakes. 


iU 


Mi 


^ 


68 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Ill 


I ! 


H 


''    !! 


'Hi 


CHAPTER  V. 

French  and  EngliHh  claims  to  the  country— Rival  DiscovenoH— Wars  between 
the  two  Nations— Massacre  of  Schenectady— Projected  Conquest  of  Canada 
--Projected  Conquest  ol  xXorth  Anurica  by  the  French— Treaty  of  Utrecht- 
Intrigue  of  Father  R.lle-War  rencwed-Rival  clnima  stated-Letter  to 
Uncas-Campaip  of  1759~Batlle  of  tlie  Plains  of  Abraham-Surrender  of 
perio'd"  ■''  ''"''''  '°  ^''"  '^"S'^il'-Condition  of  Michigan  at  that 

The  horizon  is  here  widened  in  order  to  take  a  brief  view 
of  facts  which,  altliotigh  transpiring  beyond  the  organized 
bounds  of  Michigan,  had  an  important  bearitig  in  moulding 
its  destiny.     For  the  full  understanding  of  the  grounds  on 
which  were  based  the  claims  of  France  and  England  to  the 
domain  of  New  France,  it  is  proper  to  state  their  alleged  dis- 
coveries and  appropriations  in  chronological  order.     In  Octo- 
ber, 1402,  Columbus  had  discovered  North  America  ;  on  the 
fith  of  March,  1196,  a  commission  was  granted  from  the  En- 
glish crown,  to  John  Cabot  and  his  sons,  to  make  discove- 
ries, take  possession,  and  carry  on  exclusive  trade  with  the 
natives  in  countries  to  the  east,  north,  and  west,  then  unknown 
to  Christian  people.     In  May,  1498,  Cabot  embarked  on  that 
enterprise,  and  continuing  liis  com-se  west-  -ard,  after  havino- 
descried  Newfoundland  and  St.  Johns,  he  soon  reached  the 
continent  of  North  America,  and  sailin-  along  from  the  corst 
of  Labrador  to  Virginia,  he  endeavored  to  find  some  inlet 
which  miglit  open  a  passage  to  the  wcrt.     Failing  in  this,  he 
returned  to  England  without  an  attempt  at  settlement.     The 
foundation  of  the  Englisli  claim  to  the  country  reach  in  o-  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  North  Pole,  m.y  be  traced  lo  that 
expedition,  and  also  to  discoveries  made  in  the  interior  durino- 
the  years  15G8,  1G54,  ir,7->,  1078,  and  from  1725  to  1740.*  " 
The  prominent  ground  of  the  French  claim  to  the  conti- 
nent, was  the  fact,  that  I/L-^scarbot,  who  visited  America  in 

♦  Pitkiu 


¥ 


i 


GRNKRAI.    VIEW    OF   OPEIIATIONS    ABROAD. 


G9 


ICiOi),  iiflirmed  that  at  that  period  the  language  which  was 
spoken  on  the  eastern  coast  of  Newfoundland  and  the  Great 
Bank  was  hah"  Biscayan  ;  from  which  it  was  inferred  that 
fishermen  from  tlie  western  oasts  of  France  had  navigated 
those  seas  before  the  expedition  of  Cabot  in  1498.  Ample 
evidence  is,  in  fact,  adduced  to  show,  that  in  1504  the  Biscay- 
ar.s,  the  Normans,  and  the  Britons  had  frequented  the  Great 
Bank  of  Newfoundland,  the  coasts  of  tlie  adjacent  continent, 
and  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  for  the  purpose  of  fishing  ;  that 
a  map  of  the  coast  was  published  in  1506,  and  that  a  Cana- 
dian was  brought  into  France  from  those  regions  in  1508. 
As  early  as  1000,  the  Northmen  had  navigated  these  shores, 
and  a  particular  account  of  their  discoveries  and  explorations 
has  reccDtly  been  placed  on  record.* 

In  1578  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  of  Compti;?  in  Devonshire, 
had  obtained  letters  patent  from  the  Queer.  ->f  England,  au- 
thorizing him,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  discover  and  take  pos- 
session of  such  remote  heathen  and  barbarous  lands  as  were 
not  actually  possessed  by  any  Christian  prince  or  people— pay- 
ing to  her  Majesty  the  fifth  part  of  all  the  gold  and  silver  ore 
which  might  be  found  within  their  bounds— and  to  exclude  all 
persons  who  might  be  found  trading  within  these  limits  witli- 
ont  his  license.  Under  this  liberal  grant,  Gilbert  embarked 
for  America,  but  from  the  pressure  of  causes  beyond  his  con- 
trol, he  did  nothing  more  than  to  take  possession  of  New- 
foundland in  due  form. 

On  the  26th  of  March,  1584,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  a  noble- 
man of  romatUic  temper  but  great  energy,  obtained  a  grant 
similar  to  that  of  Gilbert ;  and  the  same  year  despatched  two 
vessels,  which  approached  the  North  American  continent  by 
the  way  of  Florida.  They  soon  arrived  at  Roanoke,  where 
the  mariners  carried  on  a  profitable  traffic  with  the  natives. 
They  then  embarked  for  England.  The  glowing  descriptions 
which  they  gave  of  the  country  so  pleased  Elizabeth,  that  she 
gave  it  the  name  of  Virginia,  denoting  that  it  was  discovered 
while  a  virgin  queen  was  on  the  throne.     In  1585  Raleigh 


♦  Antiqnitates  Armricanoe. 


# 


I 


70 


HISTORY   OP   MICrilOAN. 


fitted  out  seven  small  ships  with  the  ne.rssary  stores  and  ar- 
maments,  and  placed  them  under  the  command  of  Sir  K    hard 
GrenviUe  lor  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  colony.     This 
coloiiy,  consisting  oi"  1U8  persons,  was  settled  on  the  Island  of 
Koanoke,  and  its  guidance  was  committed  to  Mr.  Ralph  1  me  • 
and  on  the  25th  of  August  the  ships  set  sail  for  England' 
Gold  was  the  object  of  the  expedition,  as  it  was  believed  that 
the  precious  metals  abounded  in  this  region.    In  1586  Sir 
Francis  Drake  found  the  colony  worn  out  by  toil  for  the  dis- 
covery of  the  precious  metals  ;  neglecting  agriculture,  which 
would  have  provided  permanent  means  of  support ;  at  enmity 
with  the  savages,  and  in  a  state  of  the  utmost  distress.     The 
colonists  requested  to  be  returned,  and  on  the  19th  of  Juno 
they  set  sail  for  England  in  his  flciet. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1606,  letters  patent  were  issued  under 
tlie  great  seal  of  England,  to  Sir  Thomas  Gates  and  a  com- 
pany,  by  James  I ;  granting  to  them  those  territories  in  Ame- 
rica  lying  on  the  sea-coast  between  the  34th  and  45th  decrees 
of  north  latitude,  and  which  either  belonged  to  that  monarch 
or  were  not  then  possessed  by  any  other  Christian  prince  or 
people  ;  and  also  the  islands  adjacent  Uiereto,  or  within  one 
hundred  miles  thereof 

In  1603  Henry  IV.  of  France  had  granted  to  De  Mont  a  com- 
mission as  lieutenant-general  over  that  part  of  America,  which 
lies  between  the  40th  and  the  46th  degrees  of  north  latitude 
with  power  to  settle  and  to  rule  it.  In  consequence  of  the 
grants  to  the  Virginia  companies,  Captain  Argal  attacked  and 
dispersed  the  settlements  made  by  the  French  on  the  Bay  of 
Fundy.  Tfie  settlements  of  the  French  had  extended  as  for 
south  and  west  as  St.  Croix,  and  of  the  English  as  far  north 
and  east  as  Penobscot ;  and  those  of  the  English  were  n  arlv 
contemporaneous.  ' 

In  1620,  a  grant  was  made  to  the  Plymouth  colony  by 
Janaes,  of  all  the  territory  which  lies  between  the  40th  and 
48th  degrees  of  north  latitude;  and  in  1621  he,  as  thekincrof 
Scotland  granted  to  Sir  William  Alexander,  with  the  con- 
sent of  the  Plymouth  colony,  the  country  bounded  on  the 
north,  and  east,  and  south,  by  the  river  St.  Lawrence  and  the 


if 


t 


OINERAL    VIEW   OP   OPRRAf    jXS    ABllOAn. 


71 


ocean,  rind  on  the  west  by  the  river  St.  Croix,  under  the  title 
of  Nova  Scotia.* 

These  rival  claims  of  the  two  goA^ernnients  were  the  na- 
tural ground  o;  jealousy  between  the  French  and  l\  iglish 
colonial  cstabiishtneiits  ;  and  in  fact,  as  early  as  1632,  a  party 
of  French  fr-  Ac:  ii«  .-onunitted  a  robbery  on  a  trading  posl, 
established  m  ,627  by  the  people  of  New  Plymouth  at  Pe- 
nobscot. Information  was  also  received  that  Cardinal  de 
Riclielieu  had  ordered  companies  to  that  station,  and  also 
p  >ts,  Jesuits,  and  other  parts  of  the  colonial  machinery.  In 
1641,  the  apprehensions  of  the  English  were  quieted  by  a 
treaty  of  peace  and  commerce  between  the  Governor  of  New 
England  and  M.  U  Aulney,  lieutenant-general  of  the  king  of 
France  in  Acadio. 

The  design  he  English  and  French  powers  was  to  un- 
dermine the  iuilucnce  of  c.ich  other,  and  to  grasji  the  domi- 
nion of  the  country.  The  terriu  \',  claimed  by  the  En- 
glish, embraced  the  vast  region  bordering  the  St.  Lawrence 
and  the  north-western  lakes.  It  was  maintained,  on  the  other 
hand,  by  the  French,  that  the  St.  Lawrence  was  the  centre  of 
Canada,  and  that  the  Apalachian  mountains  had  always  been 
regarded  as  the  bounds  of  their  colonics.  Tlie  English  occu- 
pied the  country  included  in  New  England  and  New- York, 
and  south  upon  the  eastern  maritune  frontier;  while  the  French 
settlements  were  comprised  mainly  in  New  France. 

The  conquest  of  Canada  had  therefore  been  long  a  favorite 
object  of  the  English  colonists;  and  as  early  as  kSs,  Charles 
I.  had  granted  to  David  Kertk  acommission  to  effectuate  that 
object.  The  expedition  was  undertaken,  and  in  1G29  Que- 
bec had  been  captured.  This  Avas,  however,  restored  by 
Charles  in  1632. 

The  French  were  found  gradiially  extending  their  settle- 
ments into  the  disputed  territory,  by  constructing  forts,  and 
sending  out  colonies,  which  should  connect  their  possessions 
in  Canada  with  Louisiana  by  a  chain  of  fortifications  extend- 
ing froin  Quebec  to  New  Orleans.     The  progress  of  their 


*  See  Marshal  a;v]  Pitkin,  passiiii. 


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colonies  was  viewed  with  apprehension  and  jealousy  by  the 
English,  and  at  an  early  period  Sedgwiclc  dislod-cd  them 
from  Penobscot,  where  they  had  made  settlements  and  had 
subdued  Acadie.  New-Yorlf  and  New  England,  during  this 
period,  were  exposed  to  a  desolating  Indi.ai  war  :  while  the 
English  crown  viewed  with  indignation  the  inliuence  of  that 
voluptuous  monarch,  I.ouis  XIY.— svliich  was  believed  to  en- 
courage those  hostilities  in  this  country. 

War  soon  broke  out  at  home,  bcnveen  France  and  England, 
and  its  influence  was  extended  to  their  possessions  in  Anterica! 
In  1683   De  Calliers  had   projected   a   military   expedition* 
against  New- York.     While  this  was  pending,  however,  he 
ombarked  for  Quebec,  and  found  Canada  in  the  utmost  con- 
sternation.     During  the  preceding  summer   the  Irocpiois  had 
landed  twelv.   hundred  men  on  the  Island  of  Montreal,  who 
destroyed  about  a  thousand  of  the  F'rench.     In  October  the 
Island  was  again  attacked,  and  the  lower  part  laid  waste.     In 
consequence  of  these  incursions.  Fort  Frontenac  on  Lake  On- 
tario was  evacuated.     The  savages  roused  the  country  into 
such  a  state  of  dread,  that  agriculture  could  not  be  practised. 
The  projected  attack  on  New- York  was   accoidino-ly  pre- 
vented. "      ^ 

Count  Frontenac,  then  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  but  possess- 
ing all  the  animation  and  vigor  of  youth,  embarked  in  a  ca- 
noe for  Montreal,  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  the  Cana- 
dian inhabitants,  and  terrifying  the  hostile  savages.     Sendino- 
out  hostile  parties  against  tlie  English,  he  held  a  council  with 
the  Iroquois  at  Onondaga.     This  council,  however,  resulted 
in  no  permanent  league.     The  expedition   sent  out,  against 
New- York,  to  which  allusion  has  before  been  made,  was  con- 
stituted of  a  few  Indians  and  about  two  hundred  French. 
These  travelled   through   a  wilderness  covered  with  d(!ep 
snows,  with  their  packj  upon  their  backs,  by  the  aid  of  snow- 
shoes  ;  and  on  the  8th  of  February,  1690,  at  eleven  o'clock 
at  niglit,  they  arrived  at  Schenectady  in   New- York.     Here 
they  divided  themselves  into  small  parties  of  six  or  seven,  and, 
entering  each  house  at  the  same  time,  they  massacred  the  oc- 
cupants J  and,  slaying  the  mothers,  cast  the  unborn  infants 


GENERAL    VIEW    OP'   OrEuATIONS    ABROAD, 


73 


into  the  flames  of  the  burning  viUage.  At  this  attack,  sixty 
persons  were  killed  and  tv/enty-seven  made  prisoners.  Hav- 
ing burned  and  pillaged  the  settlement,  and  killed  all  the 
cattle  which  could  be  found,  the  invaders  retired.  The 
weather  was  intensely  cold,  and  in  their  flight  twenty-seven 
lost  their  limbs  from  the  cold,  and  twenty-five  of  the  French 
were  killed  arjd  captured  by  a  party  of  young  men  from  Al- 
bany, who  followed  in  pursuit,  accompanied  by  a  body  of 
Mohawks.  ^ 

The  general  court  of  Massachusetts  well  knew  that  these 
disasters  originated  in  Canada  and  Acadie,  and  they  accord- 
ingly soon  planned  an  expedition  against  Port  Royal  and 
Quebec.  To  carry  out  that  project,  eight  small  vessels,  car- 
rymg  seven  or  eight  hundred  men,  were  despatched  early  in 
the  spring  for  Port  Royal,  and  took  possession  of  that  point, 
together  with  the  whole  line  between  it  and  the  English  set- 
tlements. On  the  30th  of  May  the  fleet  returned.  On  the 
other  hand.  Count  Frontenac  made  a  descent  from  Quebec 
and  Trois  Rivieres  izpon  Salmon  Falls  and  Fort  Casco,.  and 
took  a  number  of  prisoners  ;  while  the  frontier  was  kept  in  a 
continual  state  of  consternation  by  the  incursions  of  the  sa- 


vages. 


The  importance  of  the  conquest  of  Canada  was  i;ro-ed 
upon  the  English  monarch,  but  his  mind  was  too  much  oc- 
cupied with  domestic  affairs  to  attend  to  the  American  colo- 
nies, and  it  was  soon  conceived  to  be  necessary  for  the  colo- 
nies to  adopt  vigorous  measures  for  self-defence,      It  was 
agreed  that  New- York  and  New  England  should  furnish 
troops  to  march  by  the  route  of  Lake  Champlain  to  attack 
Montreal,  and  that  a  force  from  Massachusetts  should  procee-i 
to  Quebec  by  sea,  for  the  purpose  of  its  capture.     That  fleet 
sailed  from  Nantasket  on  the  9th  of  August.     It  consisted  of 
forty  vessels,  contiiining  in  all  about  two  thousand  men.     The 
largest  vessel  carried  forty-four  guns.     The  troops  from  Con- 
necticut and  New- York  were  unsupported  by  the  Iroquois 
who  rendered  them  no  assistance  by  their  warriors,  or  fur- 
nished canoes  to  transport  them  over  the  lakes  ;  and,  in  con- 
sequence, they  returned  without  attacking  Montreal.     The 

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74 


lUSTURY   OF    SIlCaiGAX. 


fleet,  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  Phipps,  was  delayed 
m  Its  passage  to  Quebec,  and  was  obliged  to  encounter  the 
whole  French  force.  After  an  unsuccessful  attaciv  upon  Mon- 
treal, where  he  received  more  injury  than  he  inflicted,  on  the 
13ih  of  November  he  returned  to  Boston.  That  expedition 
thus  foiled. 

A  desultory  war  continued  to  be  carried  on  fbr  some  time 
between  the  two  nations,  backed  by  savages,  producing  great 
damage  and  individual  suffering.     Canada  was  deemed   the 
mam  source  of  tin  evils  which  were  incurred  ;  and  at  leno-th 
Kmg  William,  in  1G03,  determined  to  employ  a  force  for  the 
reduction  of  Quebec  ;  but  the  plan  was  not  carried  into  exe-.u- 
tion.     On  the  conquest  of  Acadie  by  Sir  William  Phipps,  Mas- 
sachusetts extended  irs  jurisdiction  ove-  that  region  ;  but  as  no 
body  of  troops  could  be  retained  in  that  quarter  to  maintain 
the  allegiance  of  the  French,  their  aflcctions  soon  returned  to 
their  native  country,  and  the  government  of  Massachusetts 
was  shaken  off.  Villebone  had  recovered  Port  Royal,  and  held 
a  commission  from  the  king  of  France  as  governor  of  Acadie 
About  the  same  period  a  fort  at   Pemaquid  was  taken  by  a 
body  of  French  and  Indians,  by  Iberville,  whilo  England  as 
yet  rendered  but  liule  assistance  to  the  war.     In  ICOO  a  pro 
mise  was  made  to  that  effect,  but  this  promise  was  not  per- 
formed. ^ 

During  the  same  year  a  plan  originated  with  the  c  binet  of 
Versailles  for  an  expedition  to  be  carried  on  in  the  year  fol- 
lowing against  the  English  colonies.     Its  design  was  to  gnvsp 
the  dominion  of  North  America.     Count  de  Frontenac  was 
ordered  to  hold  in  readiness  fifteen  hundred  men,  to  co-operate 
with  the  troops  which  should  arrive  from  France  ;  but  that 
expedition  was  also  relinquished.     In  December,  peace  was 
declared  between  England  and  France  ;  and  the  hostilities  be- 
tween the  subjects  of  those  nations  ceased  also.    Durino-  the 
war,  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  and  New- York  were 
more  particularly  exposed  to  the  depredations  of  the  sava-es  • 
but  the  latter  colony  was  covered  by  the  Iroquois,  who  con- 
tinued firm  allies  to  the  English  notwithstanding  the  arts  and 
address  of  the  French. 


i 


I 


GENERAL    VIKW    OF   OPKUATIONS    ABROAD.  75 

ny  the  treaty  of  peace  between  France  and  England,  it  had 
been  agreed  that  each  nation  should  restore  to  the  other  the 
conquests  made  dunng  the  war;  audit  was  also  stipulated 
that  comuHssioners  should  be  appointed  to  determ  ne  the 
c  an.s  01  both  monarclis  to  the  places  in  Hudson's  Bay"whL 
the  possession  ..(places  which  had  been  taken  by  the  French 

'^ianle      ;n  "'f "  ^^^^?  ^"^^'-'^^  should're.nan.  wUh 
ZTa  r     ,  ^^°"»^^^"^«  ^^  ^hese  places,  however,  were  not 
T  ^Fn  fT  ;  ""'  ?'^  --^auences  soon  became' manifet 
TZfnnu     ^^  •■^"^^^/'^^  ^vhole  country  west  of  St.  Croix  as 
a  part  of  the  CO  ony  of  Massachusetts,  and  France  determined 
to  exc  ude  the  English  from  the  fisheries  on   the  coa.V^nd 
from  the  possession  of  the  country  east  of  Kennebec.     Hos- 
^ZJT     T   '"  '''"  re-commenced  for  the  ostabiish- 
Tt  If     '\    "?•,    ^^^^^-^^y-f  ""^tralitywas  negotiated 
oythetrenchwuhthe  Iroquois;  and  New-Hampshire  and 
Ma  sachusetts  were  obliged  tostrug,,'.  .nth  the  whole  weight 
ot  the  war.     Numerous  projects  were  discussed  for  the  sublu 
gat.on  of  the  French,  and  depredations  on  the  frontiers  con-' 
tmued  to  be  committed  until  the  treaty  of  Utrecht    in  1713 
terminated  for  a  t'me  the  colonial  troubles.     Bv  this  treatv' 
I  ranee  ceded  to  England  all  Nova  Scotia  or  Acidic-  with  Is 
ancient  boundaries  ;  as  also  the  city  of  Port  Royal,  low  cal- 
ed  Annapolis  Royai,  and  all  other  things  in  those  p  rts  wh   h 
depend  on  the  said  lands. 

The  French  missionaries,  comprised  of  the  Jesuits,  priests 
and  Recollets,  acquired  great  influence  among  the  Indi!ms 
and  in  the  exercise  of  a  principle  common  to  our  nature  in  a 
few  instances  excited  the  prejudices  of  the  savages  against  the 

nl  mT'T-.  "^"'^"^^^^  P^"^"^'^^  to  ^slwthat  in 
172b  M  Vaudreu.l  exercised  his  influence  Ibr  the  same  ob- 
.loct.  After  the  cession  of  Nova  Scotia  to  Great  Britain,  it  was 
proved  that  Father  Ralle,  a  Canadian  missionary,  had  kerted 
an  agency  in  rousing  the  resentments  of  the  Indians  ac^aiust 
he  bngl.sh;  and  a  tbrce  was  detached  to  the  village  ^here 
Ivo.lc  resided,  to  seize  his  person.  IJut  Ralle  had  fled  His 
papers  were  however,  found-wliich  clearly  demonstrated  that 
a  correspondence  had  taken  place  between  himself  and  Van 


n 


ifi 


HISTORY    OF    nilCIlIGAN, 


If: 


drciiil,  tlie  Governor  of  Canada,  in  wliicli  the  Canndinn  Go- 
vernor had  jMoniisfd  t(;  riirnisli  tii.!  Jndians  arms  and  nnimn- 
nition  in  case  tlioy  n:ado  an  attack  upon  ilu!  Mnirlisli  posts, 
"^riiat  fact  was  charifod  upon  VandnMiil,  which  ho  at  first  de- 
nied, and  adirnied  that  tJio  Inihans  winv.  independent  tribes, 
and  eonid  do  as  they  pi(>ased  ;  hut  when  the  evidence  was 
cxhihiied,  naihn":  n|)on  him  the  Ihlseliood,  he  stated  tlint  he 
would  use  his  inlhience  to  suppress  any  luturo  disturhances. 
A  treaty  of  peace  was  then  eonchided  with  the  Indians  in 
Canada,  in  which  they  engaged  to  terminate  hostihtics. 

Hut  war  aufain  sprani>;  up  in  Min-opo  between  the  Enghsh 
and  French,  and  the  i)eace  of  the  I'lnghsli  settlements  was 
soon  disturl)ed  by  an  attack  from  (Jape  llreton  on  tlie  [)art  of 
the  hitter  nation.  Tlie  Governor  of  that  place,  havin<r  receiv- 
ed itilormalion  of  a  war  !)etween  l-'ranee  and  Muirland,  con- 
cluded upon  the  destruction  of  the  I'lnirlish  fishery  at' Can- 
scan.  Dnvivier  accordiinrly,  with  a  force  of  armed  vessels 
and  about  nine  hundred  mcMi,  attacked  the  island,  and  made 
its  inhabitants  prisoners  of  war.  An  attack  was  also  niado 
upon  Annapolis,  but  without  success. 

The  l-'rencli  had  made  great  exertions  to  extend  their  do- 
minions in  this  country,  by  sending  out  colonies,  and  erecting 
forts  at  points  which  could  command  the  largest  extent  oi 
territory.     During  the  year  1721  they  had  made  large  orants 
of  land  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Champlain,  which  was  claimed 
by  New-^'ork,  .New-Hampshire,  ami  Massachusetts  ;  i-nd  they 
had  also  built  a  fbrt  at  Crown   I>.)int,  on  the  shores  r  '  that 
lake.  Th.-y  subsequently  advanced    uuthward  from  to    irreat 
lakes,  and   constructed  Fort  Duquesne  on  the  Ohio  Kivor 
and  had  stretched  (heir  establishments  from  Quebec  to  the 
month  of  the  :\lississippi.'     If  was  clahned  by  the   French 
that  the  Ohio,  or  La  IJell.-  Riviere,  was  the  natural  channel 
of  oommuiucation  between  Canada  and  Louisiana  ;  that  it  had 

*  In  1 '■':?<  .Voir..  AVashinpton,  then  tw.M.ty-one  year,  ofngo,  crossed  ti.e  ico 
nn.l  snows  oftl.o  Allo.hany  mountnins  to  deliver  a  letter  to  Iho  commanclmU  of 
J- on  Duquesne.  rrmon.Mrnlin£:,-.2;ninslthr8eadvnncins:cstablishnirnts  He  was 
despatched  for  that  ol-jPct  by  Lieut.  G.nernor  Dinwiddio.  For  his  journal  on 
that  »».Tpcdition,  see  ?pail;s's  Wasliington,  vol.  ?,  p.  4:^2. 


OKNERAI,    VIEW    OP   OPKUATION8    ABROAD. 


77 


Kftver  been  occupied  or  appropriated  by  the  English  ;  and  that, 
nioroovor,  it  was  originally  traversed  by  their  own  people, 
and  discov'ired  by  La  Salle  as  early  as  1079.  It  was  also 
jill(>g(.'d  that  some  English  traitors  had  passed  the  mountains 
of  Virginia,  and  wanted  to  carry  on  a  trade  with  the  Indians 
on  the  Ohio,  and  that  the  French  took  and  carried  them  back 
to  Franco. 

Tlie  beiligeront  measures  of  the  French  induced  the  En- 
glish coloni<!s  to  establish  some  system  of  measures  by  which 
the  French  power  might  be  overthrown,  and  the  English 
combined  into  a  well-organized  system  of  co-operation.  In 
1745  Louisburg  was  captured  by  a  force  of  combined  troops 
from  Now  Hampshire,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut;  and 
(his  conquest  .saved  Nova  Scotia,  because  Duvivier — who  was 
intending  to  procure  an  armament  for  the  .subjugation  of  that 
province,  and  who  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Louisburg, 
and  thenoe  advance  in  tlie  execution  of  his  plan,  as  soon  as 
he  had  iioard  of  its  surrender  set  sail  for  Europe  and  gave 
up  (he  project. 

The  rival  projects  of  France  and  i]ngland  soon  became 
manifest..  The  former  contemplated  the  conquest  of  Cape 
JJreton  and  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  devastation  of  the  sea-coast, 
as  well  as  the  conquest  of  the  whole  of  New-England  ;  while 
Great  Britain  anticipated  the  expulsion  of  the  French  from 
the  continent,  and  the  subjugation  of  all  Canada.  A  fleet,  con- 
sisting of  forty  ships,  had  been  despatched  under  the  Duke 
d'Anville,  with  the  necessary  armaments,  to  co-operate  with 
the  French  and  Indians  against  the  English  colonies;  but  tre- 
mendous storms  wrecked  a  greater  part,  and  dispersed  the 
other  during  their  voyage  ;  in  addition  to  which,  the  troops 
on  l)oard  the  vessels  which  arrived  in  port  were  attacked  by 
a  deadly  sickness,  which  carried  off  a  great  number.  The 
French  also  intercepted  a  letter  which  had  been  despatched 
to  Louisburg,  intbrming  the  English  Admiral  tliat  a  British 
fleet  would  follow  that  of  France,  ^rho  commander-in-chief 
suddenly  died,  and  the  command  of  the  French  colonies  de- 
volved upon  M.  Le  Jonquiere.  The  war  soon  grew  hotter. 
The  power  of  Franco  in  (^inida  was  under  th^  direction  o| 


i 


H 


m 


r' 


I!  I 


rs 


IIISTOUV    OK    iMlCMKiA.V, 


one  frovomor,  an.l  ,1...  ,n.„ius  ol'  ,ho  ,H..p|.  u-as  .„i|,(a,y ; 
wlul..  llu.  I.M.h.sl,  ,o|.„H.,s  u-nr  ,sn,((.n.(l  ov.m-  a  wid.  cxt..,; 
^"  "niiurv  niMl  d.o  iMhaLiUmis,  n.,accustc..,K.d  (o  anus,  were 
jwiloiis  ol  I  he  crown. 

In  Sr,.(..M.I.rr,  I  ;.-5:{,  ,1,,.  IIo,,nl  <,|-  Trad,  sonl  inslrnrtions  to 

no  Cum-rnor  ol  Now-Vorl.  ,o  |,o!.l  a  t.vaty  vv.tlul.o  ln..,„ois, 

to  sat.sly  ,|,nr  .omplainlsan.l  adjust  tl.dr  claims  ;  and  also  to 

so."k  .•.MMimss.onrrs  (o  bv.  prcvsent,  and  nnite  with  Now- Vork  ■ 

so  .I.H  all  tlKM.:n,:,lislMwovin.vs  nnoln  1,0  comprised  m  one 
yvn.rahr.vnytolHMnad.i,,lnsAla,..s(v'snan...  The  Marl 
o  o|,iorno.ss,  scrnMary  olsin,,.  at  the-  san.n  tin.,  rc-onnncnd- 
«xl  (I. at  the  connnissionors  ofil.is  nu-elino-  .ho,dd  lonn  a  .ro- 
noral  plan  ol  colonial  .n.ion  ai:ainst  the  oncroaclnnonts  of  ti.e 
iMcn.l..  |„n,ronlanccu'i(l.  (his  rcconnncndalion  and  the 
n.slrnc.ionsofiho  Hoard  of  Trade,  ..onnnissioncrs  lh,.u  the 
.st.-.(cs  ol  Alassachnsot.s,  .\ow  llan.pslnrc,  Khodc  Island.  ( 'on- 

'  •;'ny  u.  Jnno,  L  ..  I  ;  and  havino-  directed  a  treaty  with  the  In- 
dians, rcsolvcl  nnanin.ously  lha(  annionofthe  colonies  was 
ahsolnlcly  nm-ssary  lor  ihc.r  preservation.  They  clearly  Ibn- 
..w  tlKH  n  ,1.  ,..„ch  were  snlle^^^^^^ 
plans  ol  do.mnion,  „u-,r  oxtendinn-es.ahlishn.ents  wonid  soon 
.econ..,oo,ornHdahie,oheunr.rn.u.ed.     A  plan  of  colon  a 

-n -.  ,ranu.d  hy  |)octor  ^Vankln^  and  snhnn.ted  to  the 
^n nsh  (.ovcnnncnt ;  hut  i,  was  rejected,  on  the  .ronnd  that  it 
irianled  (o  ihe  colonists  loo  n.nch  of  ,h.,t   power  winch   ho- 

;.;:ff,;";;r"r''--  '^"''-'-"-'"^'WH.op,anof..n:: 

J  >  d  failed,  tlH.  colonies  contnn.ed  to  co-operate  m  vi..orons 
^l^;'-s've   measures;    and  ,wen,y-(ive   thonsand  me.r  w^^ 

a,sed  ,or  that  oh,e..,-hve  thousand  of  whon>  were  Irom  cZ 
n.rn.ut    and  s..ven  thonsand  irom   Massachusetts.       tZ 

nn  .vd  h.nsand  pounds  s.erlin,  were  also  .ranted  irom 
Mu.  1  ..t.sh   treasury    l.y  act  of  parliament;    and  this  sum 

wasdistrihntedanion-vtlie  l-lnHish  enlnni ,     •  ""^  ^"m 

♦1, ,  1  ,.  ".- ""  ' 'iiirnsu  colonies  m  proportion  to 
the  nun.b  v  ol  troops  which  each  had  in  the  service 

In  h  o;i,  (;eneral  Hraddock  ..mbarked  lor  America,  and  im- 
med.au  y  on  h.s  arr.val  cnn-ened  a  council  of  the  .ive  2 
01  .he  dilierent  l-]n,hsh  colonies,  for  the  purpose  of  de^nnlim  " 


(iKNKUAl,    VtKW    OF    OI'KIlATlo.NS    AHflOAD.  79 

n  plan  for  tlu;  military  cjuii|)ai,<rn.  Tj,,.  objocls  of  tlicir  utfark 
wen-  j.'oit  DiKiucsiu-,  .\i.-,irura,  I'ort  I'Voiltfuar,  and  Crown 
Ponit.  An  expedition,  wliicii  was  proj..el('d  in  Massachusetts, 
was  also  carried  ont  a-ainst  the  l^'rcneh  posts  in  Nova  Seotia! 
A  force  eonsistinir  of  a!,„nt  three  hinidred  Jlritish  and  three 
thonsand colonial  troops,  conqpored  and  took  possession  of  that 

province;  andtheinhahitants,  who  were  (l.undin  astateofrehol- 
hon  a-rainsl  the  Uritish  arnis,were(lisp,;rs(!daMion-t|„,  Mncrlish 
colonies,  and  reduced  lioni  adhieiiee  to  the  uttermost  depths  of 
poverty  8ince  the  arrival  of  IJraddock,  the  IJriti.sh  arms  had 
heen  nnsncc(!sslnl  ;  and  his  defeat  and  d.uith  in  1755,  from  an 
mvisihie  (brc(!  of  Frmc..!,  ,,nd  hidians  at  l^'ort  DiKpiesne,  co- 
vered the  land  with  .rlo.)m.  The  Manpiis  do  Montcalm,  a  cal- 
liint  odicer,  who  had  succ(;ededDieskeaiiin  the  command  of  the 
French  troops,  advanced  witli  ahont  five  thonsand  French 
and  Indians  upon  Oswe^ro,  coiKiuered  the  jranison,  and  des- 
troyed the  Ibrt.* 

In  the  year  1757,  the  vast  and  splendiil  i^^eniiis  of  the  Rarl 
of  Chatham  was  at  the  helm  of  l-:n^r|aud,  and  projecK-d  u 
vifforons  campaicrn  on  the  American  continent ;  and"  dnrintr 
the  saine  year  ami htary  conncil  was  iield  at  Boston,  at  which 
the  l'];u\  ,>r  riondon  opened  his  proposition  with  a  speech 
which  was  intended  to  hrin,-  tlu;  Fn^Hi.sh  colonies  into  a  sys- 
tematic and  viiTorons  co-operation.     Montcalm  had  captnred 
l^rt   Wilham  Ifeiiry,  and   had  thus  oj)eiied  away  ihv  the 
French  to  Lakes  Champlain  and  Georire,  andhy  the  destruc- 
tion of  Oswego,  had  aniuired  dominion  of  the  lakes  which  con- 
nect Canada  with  Louisiana.     Fort  DuqiK'sne  had  heeneap- 
tured,  and  hy  this  means  th(>  j.^-eiich  held  ascendancy  over 
the  Indians  west  of  the  Alleoliany  mountains,  and  the  En- 
j?lish  settlements  were  driven  to  the  Hliie  Kidiro.     The  exter- 
mination of  the  French  power  in  the  North 'American  pro- 
vinces  was  soon  determined  on.     The  l-larl  of  London,  Avho 
had  been  invested  with  the  conmiand  of  the  English  forces, 
returned  to  England,  and  liis  successor  in  command  was 
General  4bcrcrombie,     Twelve  thousand  IJritish  troops  also 

♦  I'^or  facts  in  tliisj  part  of  the  work  I  am  tnainly  in-lebtcd  ta  Mar.slmll  and 
Pitkiii. 


J4 


»  U 


nt 


ii 


ii 


N 


f 


■I  •-    -* 


80 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIOAN. 


arrived,  under  General  Amherst,  from  England.  Bodies  ol 
rangers  were  trained  to  the  liardshi|is  of  the  forest,  or  wliat 
was  called  the  wood  service.  IJy  these  decisive  measures, 
Louisburg  was  taken  as  well  as  Crown  Point ;  and  Ticonde- 
roga  was  attacked  without  success,  witli  the  loss  of  Lord 
Howe,  a  young  and  gallant  soldier.*  The  expedition  against 
these  two  last  places  was  undertaken  by  General  Abercromhie 
in  person.  About  the  same  time  General  Bradstreet  captured 
Oswego  with  a  force  of  about  three  thousand  men  ;  and  Fort 
Duquesne  had  beeu  deserted,  and  left  to  the  possession  of  Gen. 
Forbes. 

Colonel  Robert  Rogers  had  been  commissioned  by  General 
James  Abercromhie,   in   1757,  under  instructions  from  the 
Earl  of  Loudon,  to  raise  a  body  of  rangers,  who  were  accus- 
tomed to  the  desultory  mode  of  fighting  peculiar  to  the  sa- 
vages ;  and,  in  conjunction  with  General  Putnam,  backed  by 
royal  troops  and  Indian  allies,  to  advance  into  Canada,  for  the 
purpose  of  pushing  the  Engish  conquests  in  that  quarter.  For 
the  purpose  of  securing  the  attachment  of  the  tribes  favorable 
to  the  English  cause,  he  wrote  to  Uncas,  the  chief  sachem  of 
the  Mohegan  tribes,  in  the  following  terms,  sending  him,  at 
the  same  time,  a  belt  (ti  wampum  : — 
''Brother  Uncas, 
"  As  it  is  for  the  advantage  of  his  Majesty,  Kmg  George,  to 
have  a  large  body  of  rangers  employed  in  his  service  the  en- 
suing campaign,  and  as  I  am  well  convinced  of  the  sincere 
attachment  you  have  to  him,  I  therefore  obey  General  Am- 
herst's orders  to  me,  to  engage  your  assistance  here  early  in 
the  spring. 

"  I  hope  you  will  continue  to  show  that  ardent  zeal  you  have 
all  along  expressed  for  the  English  ever  since  you  have  beeu 
allied  to  them,  by  raising  a  company  of  your  men  with  the 
greatest  expedition. 

"  Should  you  choose  to  come  out  a  captain,  General  Am- 
herst will  readily  give  you  the  commission  for  it;  if  not,  I 
shall  expect  Doquipe  and  Nunnipad.     I  leave  to  you  the 

*  A  splendid  monument  to  his  memory,  to  bo  erected  in  the  collegiate  church 
of  Westminster,  was  voted  by  the  As3(Mnbly  of  Massachusetts. 


GENERAL    VIEW    OP   OPERATIONS    AHHOAD. 


81 


choice  of  nn  ensign  and  two  serorennts,  but  I  hope  you  will  en- 
gage the  fittest  men  for  tlieir  stations.  1  would  have  the  com- 
pany  consist  of  fifty  private  men,  or  more  if  you  can  get  them  • 
and  if  those  men  that  deserted  from  Capt.  Brewer  will  join  you', 
the  General  will  pardon  them.  You  may  employ  a  cleric 
for  the  company,  to  whom  General  Amherst  will  allow  the 
usual  pay.* 

"  I  heartily  wish  you  success  in  raising  your  men,  and  shall 
be  exceedingly  glad  that  you  join  me  with  uU  the  expedition 
you  possibly  can. 

"  I  am,  Brother  Uncas, 

"  Your  most  obedient,  luimble  servant, 
''To  King'  Uncas.  ROBERT  ROGERS." 

An  energetic  campaign  was  projected  in  1759,  designed  to 
demolish  at  a  blow  the  French  power  in  New  France.  Three 
grand  divisions  were  made  in  the  Englidx  army,  and  Canada 
was  to  be  entered  by  three  ditferent  routes.     Brigadier-gene- 
ral  Wolfe,  a  young  and  brave  oflicer,  was  ordered  to  as'cend 
the  St.  Lawrence  and  lay  siege  to  Quebec  ;    Major-general 
Amherst  was  to  attack  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and 
then  advance  over  Lake  Champlain  and  down  the  St.  Law- 
rence, so  as  to  form  a  junction  with  Wolfe  under  the  walls 
of  Quebec  ;  and  the  third  division  of  the  army  was  to  be  com- 
manded by  General  Prideaux,  and  was  designed  to  attack 
Niagara,  embark  on  Lake  Ontario,  and  thence^procecd  to  the 
attack  of  Montreal.     If  Montreal  should  surrender  before 
Quebec,  he  was  then  to  join  his  forces  with  the  grand  army 
at  that  place.    General  Amherst,  after  making  gr^U  exertions 
to  accomplish  his  object,  was  obliged  to  retire  into  winter- 
quarters.      Prideaux  advanced  against  Niagara,  where  ho 
found  a  body  of  French  troops  ftom  Detroit ,  Venango,  and 
Prespue  Isle.     The  place  was  besieged,  and  soon  surrendered. 
In  the  month  of  June,  1759,  the  English  fleet  under  Wolfe, 
containing  eight  thousand  men,  reached  the  Island  of  Orleans! 
The  French  force,  exclusive  of  the  garrison  of  Quebec,  com- 
prised about  ten  thousand,  with  a  reserve  of  two  thousand. 
General  Wolfe  first  made  an  attack  on  Moiitmorenci,  and 

♦  Rogers's  Jounal,  p.  126,  7. 

u 


1. 1'^ 

iiJ 


88 


lIISTOnv   OV    MICltlOAN. 


i  » 


7(. 


,  1     ii 


luiidod  his  trodps  undor  the  cover  of  a  fire  from  the  ships  of 
war ;  but  he  was  repulsed,  and  alter  some  dehiy  it  was  deter- 
mined to  gain  the  heights  of  Abraham.  This  daring  cnter- 
prizo  was  elfectcd  on  tlio  12th  of  September. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  city  of  Quebec  stands  on  the 
north  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  is  comprised  of  an  upper 
and  lower  town.  The  lower  town  is  situated  on  the  strand, 
while  tlic  upper  town  is  bulwarked  by  an  immense  rock, 
which  stretches  along  the  St.  Lawrence  with  a  bold  and  pre- 
cipitous wall.  On  this  side  it  is  inaccessible,  and  on  the  west 
it  was  protected  by  the  river  St.  Charles.  The  position  was 
defended  by  the  French  army  of  ten  thousand  men,  command- 
ed by  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  and  strengthened  by  float- 
ing batteries  and  armed  vessels.  The  British  ships  of  war 
sailed  nine  miles  up  the  river  above  Quebec,  as  a  stratagem 
to  draw  of!"  a  portion  of  the  French  army  under  M.  Uougain- 
ville.  This  stratagem  was  successful ;  aiid  a  detachment  of 
the  French  army  moved  along  the  banks  of  the  river  to  pre- 
vent the  English  from  debarking.  About  midnight,  boats  de- 
tached from  the  British  ships,  and  filled  with  soldiers,  floated 
in  silence  down  the  current  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  On  the 
lofty  banks  of  the  river  picket  guards  were  stationed.  As  the 
boats  passed  along  the  shore,  they  were  hailed  by  a  French 
sentinel  then  on  duty,  "  Qui  vit — who  comes  there  ?"'  "  La 
France,"  said  a  soldier  who  understood  the  French  language. 
"Quel  regiment— to  what  regiment?"'  "  De  la  reino — the 
Queen's,"  said  the  soldier,  who  knew  the  name  of  one  which 
was  with  the  force  of  Bougainville.  ''Passe,"  said  the 
sentinel,  supposing  it  to  be  a  French  convoy  of  provisions, 
which  was  expected  to  pass  down  to  Quebec;  and  the  boats 
passed  on.  Another  sentinel,  who  distrusted  the  aspect  of  the 
boats,  ran  down  to  the  water's  edge,  and  cried  out,  ^'Pour- 
quo'is  est  ce  que  vous  ne  jmrler  plus  haut — why  don't  you 
speak  louder  ?"  "  Jai  toi  nous  serons  entendres — hush,  we 
shall  be  overheard  and  discovered,"*  said  the  Englishman, 
and  the  boats  floated  along  without  further  interruption. 

♦  SmoUct,  vol.  5,  p.  56. 


GKvr.u.vL  VI1.W  OF  orr.RATiONa  AnnoAD.  83 

Abon;  four  o'clock  i.i  the  morning  the  troops  began  to  land. 
At  eight  they  «scend.xl  oversleep  rocks,  closrged  with  formi- 
dable  obstn.etions,  lor  the  purpose  of  gai;iing  the  plains  of 
Abraham ;  for  on  the  front  they  were  protected  by  two  f.eld- 
pieces,  and  their  lauding  was  covered  by  the  Royal  Americans. 
1  lio  light  mf'uury  and  a  single  regiuient  formed  a  reserve/ 

On  the  13tii  the  Mar.juis  do  Montcalm,  who  was  then  at 
Hoauport,  marched   across   the   St.  Charles    with  only  one 
fiold-piece  and  before  his  forces  could  be  concentrated,  form- 
ed .mprudcnty,  before  the  British  army.     He  advanced  most 
galantly;   while  his  troops,  composed  chieflv  of  untrained 
nnhtia,  commonred  a  quick  but  ineffective  firing  when  with- 
in  only  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  British  line.     The 
Brush,  constituted  of  drilled  soldiers,  advanced  regularly 
wuh  the  mas.iff-like  obstinacy  which  marks  the  re'dt  of 
Imt  monarchy  and  opened  a  destructive  fire,  which  was  con- 
tmued  until  wi.hiu  about  twenty  yards  of  thL  French.  Tliey 
^m,gavo  a  general  volley.     Hen,  at  last,  on  the  banks  of" 
he  St.  Lawrence,  were  unrolled  the  hostile  banners  of  the 
Uvo  nations,  who  felt  toward  each  other  a  more  than  Tartha- 
gm.an  hatred.     It  was  a  decisive  struggle.     The  glory  of  he 
two  crowns  was  at  issue.     The  prize  at  stake  was  a  maln^ 
ficent  empire.     Quebec  was  the  Gibraltar  of  the  wildenres 
the  strong-hold  of  French  power.     13„t  the  French  tr  on' 
soon  gave  way  before  the  vigorous  charge  of  British  bayrets 
and  the  stroke  of  the  Highland  broad-s^vord,  alth  ntl     ut 
ported  by  h  teen  hundred  Indian  and   Canadian  m  r  1    Z 
tationed  behind  the  bushes  and  corn-fields  of  the  neill  bo  .' 
ood.     The  young  and  gallant  Wolfe,  during  the  ear?y  po- 

th  a  handkerchief,  fought  on.     Soon  after,  another  pierced 
li     gro.n,  and  this  wound  he  concealed.     A  third  penetrl  ed 
his  breast,  and  he  was  carried  from  the  field.     At  this  mo 
mont   while  leaning  his  head  u,„n  the  shoulder  of  a  1  ome 
nam  he  was  aroused  by  the  shout,  "  They  fly."     "  Who  fiv  '" 
said  the  wounded  patriot.     "The  French.''     "Thin  I  die 

*  McGrp£or'3  British  Americn, 


r   m 

I  < 


u 


HISTORY  OP   MICHIGAN. 


i 


t? 


m 


!l 


;  I 


i''tt. 


happy ;"  and  his  spirit  passed  away  to  heaven  upon  the  storm 
of  battle,  with  the  exultation  of  victory  trembling  on  his  lips.* 

The  no  less  gallant  Montca'ti  also  fell,  mortally  wounded, 
and  died  a  few  days  after,  praying  for  death  because  he  was 
connnered.  It  was  believed  that  this  battle  was  precipitated 
by  the  French  commandant,  on  the  ground  that  M.  Vaudreuil, 
the  governor  of  Canada,  who  proposed  a  different  plan  of  de- 
fence from  Monccahn,  had  doubted  his  courage,  and  that  the 
battle  was  hastened  under  the  goadings  of  wounded  honor. 
Qtuebec  capitulated  on  the  I8th  to  Gen.  Murray,  who,  after 
tlie  fall  of  Wolfe,  succeeded  to  the  command.  The  remnant 
of  the  French  army  was  concentrated  around  Montreal ;  but 
General  Amherst  having  exhibited  himself  before  that  place, 
with  a  force  against  which  no  resistance  could  be  made,  de- 
man("  .d  a  capitulation.  This  capitulation,  entered  into  in 
November,  1760,  surrendered  to  the  crown  of  England.  De- 
troit, Michilimackinac,  and  all  other  places  within  the  govern- 
ment of  Canada  then  remaining  in  tlie  possession  of  France. 

Before  the  conquest  of  the  country,  Michigan  preserved  no 
distinct  and  independent  character,  and  was  far  removed  from 
the  seat  of  war.  Tl)'~  eastern  line  of  the  state  was  a  ranging 
trround  for  .Tesuit  missionaries  and  traders,  in  dieir  mercantile 
and  religious  operauons  through  the  wilderness.  The  few 
peasoulry  scattered  along  the  soUtary  posts  cultivated  their 
small  patches  ol  land  i  i  Arcadian  quietude  and  happiness. 
The  interior  had  been  but  little  explored,  save  by  the  savage  or 
the  Jesuit,  who  travelled  through  the  Indian  trails,  which 
wound  along  pleasant  landscapes,  here  stretching  in  a  sunny 
hill-side,  and  there  overshadowed  by  silent  and  noble  forests. 
Drafts,  indeed,  had  been  made  by  the  French  government  to 
forward  their  campaigns,  and  a  number  of  soldiers,  drawn  from 
the  lakes,  were  present  at  Braddock's  defeat.  Hostile  bands 
ofwarriors  were  also  sent  on  emergencies,  from  its  lake  shores, 
to  devastate  the  English  settlements  ;  but  peace  as  yet  smiled 
on  its  domain. 

•  See  a  paint'ng  of  this  scene  in  the  Trumbull  Gallery  at  New  Haven,  by  an 
American  af  «f,  Col.  John  Trumbull, 


ENGLISH    TAKE    POSSESSION    OF    MICHIGAN. 


85 


CHAPTER  VI, 


General  Amherst  orders  Major  Rogers  to  fake  possession  of  Micnigan — 
Rogers's  Expedition — First  appearance  of  Pontiac— Rogers  travels  around 
Lake  Erie— ,' .etter  to  Bellestero,  the  French  commandant  of  Detroit — 
Roaers's  Speech  to  the  hostile  Indians — Reply  of  Bellestere — The  Effigy — 
Prediction  of  the  Indians  verified — Rogers  takes  possession  of  Detroit — 
Treaty  with  the  Indiana. 

The  war  between  the  French  and  English  had  heretofore 
raged  without  the  bounds  of  Michigan,  although  detach- 
ments of  the  French  were  occasionally  levied  from  Detroit, 
Green  Bay,  and  Michilimackinac,  to  oppose  the  advances  of 
the  English  towiird  the  Lakes.  Three  days  after  the-  capitu- 
lation of  Montreal,  Major  Robert  Rogers,  a  brave  and  ener- 
getic officer,  of  great  experience  in  the  service,  was  ordered 
by  General  Amherst  to  advance  with  a  proper  force,  take 
possession  of  the  posts  of  Michigan,  and  to  administer  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  French  subjects  in  tluit  quarter. 
That  order  was  in  the  following  words  : 

"  By  his  Excellency  Jeffery  Amherst,  Esq.,  Major-general 
and  Commander-in-Chief,  of  all  his  Majesty's  forces  in 
North  America,  &.c.  6cc.  &c. 

"  You  will,  upon  the  receipt  hereof,  with  Captain  Waite's 
and  Captain  Hazen's  companies  of  Rangers  under  your  com- 
mand, proceed  in  whale  boats  from  hence  to  Fort  William 
Augustus,  taking  along  with  you  one  Joseph  Powpno,  alias 
La  Fleur,  an  inhabitant  of  Detroit,  and  Lieutenant  Biehme, 
assistant  engineer. 

"  From  Fort  William  Augustus,  you  will  continue  your 
voyage  by  the  north  shore  to  Niagara,  where  you  will  land 
your  whale  boats,  and  transport  them  across  the  carrying-place 
into  Lake  Erie,  a{)j 'lying  to  Major  Walters,  or  the  officer  com- 
manding at  Niagara,  for  any  assistance  you  may  want  on 
that  or  any  other  occasion ;  requesting  of  him,  at  the  same  time, 
to  deliv'^er  up  to  you  Monsieur  Gamelin,  who  was  made 


86 


HISTORY  OF   MICHIGAN. 


\i 


prisoner  at  the  reduction  of  said  fort,  and  iias  continued  there 
ever  since,  in  order  to  conduct  him,  with  the  above-mentioned 
Powpo.o,  to  their  habitations  at  Detroit;  where,  upon  taking  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  his  most  sacred  Majesty,  whose  subjects 
tliey  are  become  by  the  capitulation  of  the  8th  inst.  tliey  shallbe 
protected  in  the  peaceable  and  quiet  possession  of  their  pro- 
perties ;  and  so  long  as  they  behave  as  becometh  good  and 
faithful  subjects,  shall  partake  of  all  the  other  piivileges 
and  immunities  granted  unto  them  by  the  said  capitulation. 

"  With  these,  and  the  detachment  under  your  command,  you 
will  proceed  in  your  whale  boats  across  Lake  Erie  to  Presque 
Isle,  where,  upon  your  arrival,  you  will  make  known  the  or- 
ders I  have  given  to  the  officer  commanding  that  post ;  and 
you  will  leave  said  whale  boats  and  party,  taking  only  a  small 
detachment  of  your  party,  and  marching  by  land  to  join  Bri- 
gadier-general Monkton  wherever  he  may  be.     Upon  your 
arrival  with  Iiim,  you  will  deliver  into  his  liands  the  despatches 
you  shall  herewith  receive  lor  him,  and  follow  and  obey 
such  orders  as  he  shall  give  you  for  the  relief  of  the  garrisons 
of  the  French  posts  at  Detroit,  Michilimackinac,  or  any  others 
in  that  district,  for  gathering  in  the  arms  of  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  and  for  administering  to  them  the  oath  of  allegiance 
already   mentioned;    when    you  will    likewise    admhiistcr 
the  same  to  the  before-mentioned  Gamelin  and  Powpao  ;  and 
when  this  is  done,  and  that  you  have  reconnoitered  and  ex- 
plored the  country  as  much  as  you  can,  without  losing  time 
unnecessarily  you  arc  to  bring  away  the  French  troops  and 
arms  to  such  place  as  you  shall  be  directed  by  General  Monk- 
ton. 

And  when  the  whole  of  this  service  is  completed,  you  will 
march  back  your  detachment  to  Presque  Isle  or  Niagara,  ac- 
cording to  <hc  orders  you  receive  from  Brigadier  Monkton ; 
where  you  will  embark  the  wiiole,  and  in  like  manner,  as  be- 
fore, transport  your  whale  boats  across  the  carrying-place  into 
Lake  Ontario,  where  you  will  deliver  over  your  whale  boats 
into  tlie  care  of  the  commanding  officer,  marching  your  de- 
tachment by  land  to  Albany,  or  wherever  I  may  bo^to  receive 
what  farther  orders  I  may  have  to  give  you. 


ENGLISH   TAKE    POSSESSION    OP    MICHIGAN. 


87 


■ 


"  Given  under  my  hand,  at  the  head-quarters  in  the  camp 
of  Montreal,  12th  September.  17G0. 

"  Jeffry  Amherst. 
"  By  his  Excellency's  Command, 

"J.  Appy." 

A  secret  order  was  at  the  same  time  given,  to  be  shown 
only  to  the  commandants  of  the  posts  wliicli  he  might  visit, 
for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any  obstruction  from  the  hostile 
Indians  whose  territory  he  was  to  cross.     It  is  here  subjoined. 

"  Major  Walters,  or  the  officer  commanding  at  Niagara, 
will  judge  whether  or  not  there  is  provision  sufficient  at 
Presquc  Isle  ;  and  Major  Rogers  will  accordingly  take  pro- 
visions at  Niagara.  Eight  days'  provisions  will  take  him  from 
Montreal  to  Fort  William  Augustus  ;  there  he  will  apply  to 
the  commanding  officer  for  a  sufficient  quantity  to  proceed  to 
Niagara.  Major  Rogers  knows  where  he  is  going  and  the 
provisions  he  will  want ;  some  should  be  in^store,  likewise, 
at  Presque  Isle  for  the  party  Brigadier-general   Monkton 

^^^"  s^^n'i-  Jeffry  Amherst." 

"  Montreal,  Sept.  V4th,  1760."  ^• 

In  accordance  with  this  instruction  Major  Rogers  embarked 
from  Montreal  on  the  13th  of  September,  17G0,  with  Captain 
Brewer,  Captain  W^iit,  Lieutenant  Brheme,  assistant  engineer, 
Lieutenant  Davis  of  the  Royal  train  of  artillery,  accompa- 
nied by  two  hundred  Rangers.  The  embarkation  was  made  in 
fifteen  whale  boats.  Having  arrived  at  the  site  of  the  old 
Fort  Frontenac,  the  party  met  a  body  of  Indians  who  were 
out  on  a  hunting  scout,  and  to  these  they  communicated  the 
news  of  the  capitulation.  They  seemed  to  be  gratified  with 
the  intelligence,  and  supplied  the  expedition  with  wild  fowl 
and  venison.  Another  party  of  fifty  Indians  was  also  met  by 
the  English  detachment  on  a  stream  which  flows  into  Lake 
Ontario,  where  they  were  fishing  for  salmon.  As  soon  as 
these  Indians  descried  the  English  colors,  they  ran  down  to 
the  edge  of  the  lake,  and  fired  their  pieces  in  apparent  joy ; 
and  when  information  was  given  them  of  the  surrender  of 
the  Frenchj  they  appeared  also  to  be  gratified.     This,  in  foct. 


i   E  if/- 


lit 


ri 


I' 


88 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


seemed  to  be  the  feeling  of  all  the  savages  whom  they  met 
on  their  journey.  Passing  through  Toronto,  and  halting  at 
Niagara,  where  the  detachment  provided  themselves  with 
shoes,  blankets,  moccasins,  and  other  necessaries  for  the  expe- 
dition, they  proceeded  on  their  march  toward  Detroit.  On 
the  8th  of  October  they  arrived  at  Presque  Isle.  From  that 
point  Rogers  embarked  in  a  canoe,  with  three  men  for  Pitts- 
burgh, where  he  delivered  the  despatches  from  General  Am- 
herst to  Brigadier-general  Monkton  at  that  fort.  Here  Major 
Rogers  was  reinforced  by  a  detachment  of  Royal  Americans, 
who  marched  to  Presque  Isle  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Campbell;  Rogers  having  returned  to  Presque  Isle,  which  was 
on  the  Pennsylvania  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  despatched  Captain 
Brewer  by  land  to  Detroit  with  a  drove  of  forty  oxen,  which  had 
been  provided  by  Colonel  Bouquet;  and  this  expedition  was 
protected  by  Captain  Monter  with  twenty  Indians,  compris(^d 
of  the  Iroquois,  the  Delaware,  and  Shawanese  tribes.  Cap- 
tain Wait  was  at  the  same  time  sent  back  to  Niagara  for  pro- 
visions, and  was  ordered  to  coast  along  the  northern  shore  of 
Lake  Erie,  and  encamp  about  twenty  miles  east  of  the  Detroit 
river.  The  following  was  the  order  of  march  from  Presque 
Isle  to  Detroit,  issued  by  Major  Rogers : 

"  The  boats  to  row  two  deep ;  first,  Major  Rogers's  boat ; 
abreast  of  him  Captam  Croghan's  ;  Captain  Campbell  follows 
with  his  company;  the  Rangers  next;  and  lastly,  Lieutenant 
Holmes,  who  commands  the  rear  guard,  with  his  own  boat 
atid  that  of  Ensign  Wait's,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  assist  any 
boat  that  may  be  in  distress.  Boats  in  distress  are  to  fire  a 
gun,  when  Mr.  Holmes,  with  the  other  boats  under  his  com- 
mand, are  immediately  to  go  to  their  relief,  take  them  to  the 
shore,  or  give  such  other  assistance  as  he  thinks  may  be  best. 
When  the  wind  blows  hard,  so  that  the  boats  cannot  keep 
their  order,  a  red  flag  will  be  hoisted  in  the  Major's  boat ;  then 
the  boats  are  not  to  mind  their  order,  but  put  after  the  flag  as 
fast  as  possible  to  the  place  of  landing,  to  which  the  flag  boat 
will  always  be  a  guide.  It  is  recommended  to  the  soldiers 
not  to  mind  the  waves  of  the  lake ;  but  when  the  surf  is  high, 
to  stick  to  their  oars,  and  the  men  at  helm  to  keep  tho 


ENGLU-;H    take    possession    of    MICIIIOAN.  89 

boat  quartering  on  the  waves,  and  briskly  follow ;  then  no 
mischief  will  happen  by  any  storm  whatever.     Ten  of  the 
best  steersmen  amongst  the  Rangers  are  to  attend  Captain 
Campbell  and  company  in  his  boats.     It  is  likewise  .econi- 
mended  to  his  officers  commanding  in  those  boats  to  hearken 
to  the  steersmen  in  a  storm  or  bad  weather,  in  managing  their 
boats.     At  evening  (if  it  is  thought  necessaiy  to  row  in  the 
mght  time)  a  blue  flag  will  be  hoisted  in  the  Major's  boat 
which  IS  the  signal  for  the  boats  to  dress,  and  then  proceed  in 
the  tollowmg  manner  ;  the  boats  next  the  liindermost  are  to 
wait  for  the  two  in  the  rear,  the  two  third  boats  for  the  se- 
cond two  ;  and  so  on  to  the  boats  leading  a-head,  to  prev-nt 
separation-which  in  the  night  would  be  hazardous. 

«  Mr.  Brheme  is  not  to  mind  the  order  of  march,  but  to  steer 
as  is  most  convenient  for  liim  to  make  his  observations  ;  he 
IS,  however,  desired  never  to  go  more  than  a  league  a-head  of 
the  detachment,  and  is  to  join  them  at  landing  or  enmrnping 
Onlandmg,  the  regulars  are  to  encamp  in  \he  cemre,  and 
Lieutenant  Holmes's  division  on  the  right  wing  with  Mr 
Croghan's  people.     Lieutenant  McCormick  on  the  left  wina 
with  his  division  ;  Mr.  Jequipe  to  be  always  ready  with  his 
Mohegan  Indians,  which  are  the  picquet  of  his  detachment 
partof  whicli  are  always  to  encamp  in  the  front  of  the  party  • 
Captain  i^ampbell  will  mount  a  guard,  consisting  of  one  sub- 
altern,  one  sergeant,  and   thirty  privates,   immediately  on 
landing,  for  the  security  of  his  own  encampment  and  battoes  • 
Lieutenant  Holmes's  division  to  keep  a  guard  of  one  sergeant 
and  ten  Rangers  on   the  right,  and  Lieutenant  McComick 
the  like  number  on  the  left;  and  likewise  to  act  as  adjutant 
to  the  detachment,  and  the  orderly  drum    to  attend  him   to 
be  at  the  sergeant's  call.     The  General  to  beat  when  orde'rcd 
by  the  Major ;  at  which  time  the  whole  party  is  to  prepare  for 
embarking,  the  troops  half  an  hour  after,  when  all  the  guards 
are  to  be  called  in,  and  the  party  embark  immediately  after 
There  is  to  be  no  firing  of  guns  in  this  detachment  without 
permission  from  the  co.Ai.anding  officer,  except  when  in  dis- 
tress on  the  lake.     No  man  to  go  without  the  sentries  when 
in  the  camp,  unless  he  has  orders  so  to  do  ;  grcr.t  care  to  be 


.  ! 


*,  r-i. 


hi 


m 


90 


HISTORY    or    MICHIGAN. 


taken  of  the  arms,  and  the  officers  to  review  them  daily 
Captain  Campbell  will  order  a  drum  to  beat  tor  llie  regulation 
of  his  company  when  landed,  at  any  time  he  thinks  proper 
for  parading  his  men,  or  reviewing  their  arms,  &c.  It  is  not 
doubted  but  due  attention  will  be  paid  to  all  orders  given. 
Mr.  Croghan  will,  at  landing,  always  attend  tlie  major  for 
orders,  and  to  give  such  intelligence  as  he  may  have  froni  the 
Indians  throughout  the  day." 

.  At  this  period  there  sprui  ig  upon  the  stage  the  most  remark- 
able savage  who  has  ever  figured  in  Indian  history.  He  was 
a  chief  of  the  Ottawa  tribe,  whicli  claimed  to  be  the  oldest 
of  the  Indian  nations  in  this  quarter  ;  and  he  was  acknow- 
ledged to  be  the  principal  sachem  and  warrior  of  the  Algon- 
quin Confederacy,  the  autocrat  of  the  savages  along  the 
lakes.  Distinguished  for  his  nob'e  form,  commanding  address, 
and  proud  demeanor,  he  seems  to  have  allied  to  himself  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  all  the  Indians  ii>  his  region,  and 
was  a  marked  example  of  that  grandeur  which  is  sometimes 
found  among  the  savages  of  our  American  forest.  He  was 
an  avowed  friend  of  the  French  and  an  enemy  to  the  English  ; 
and  he  combined  all  those  traits  of  character  which  distin- 
guish men  among  civilized  stales,  whether  in  the  forum  or  on 
the  field.  He  was  grasping  in  his  projects,  while  he  had  suf- 
ficient dissimulation  to  conceal  them ;  his  courage  was  uncon- 
querable ;  his  pride  was  the  pride  of  the  proudest  chief  of  the 
proudest  nation  on  the  earth  ;  and  as  an  orator  he  was  more  re- 
markable for  pointedness  and  vigor  than  for  burning  eloquence. 
This  chief  had  watched  with  jealousy  the  progress  of  the 
English  arms,  and  had  imbibed  a  hatred  of  the  English, 
which  had  been  handed  down  to  his  race.  He  had  seen  them 
pushing  their  conquests  through  his  country,  destroying  his 
tribes,  driving  the  game  from  his  hunting  grounds,  which  had 
been  bequeathed  from  his  forefathers,  and  crimsoning  his  land 
with  the  blood  of  his  friends  and  companions  the  French. 
The  name  of  this  Algonquin  chief  wus  Poniiac. 

About  eight  miles  above  Detroit,  at  the  head  of  tlio  Detroit 
River,  is  Pechee  Island.  A  green  spot,  set  amid  the  clearest 
waters,  surrounded  by  dense  forests,  at  all  times  cool  from  the 


ENGLISH    TAKE    POSSESSION   OP    MICHIGAN. 


91 


breezes  of  the  northern  lakes,  and  removed  from  the  rest  of  the 

world,  Pontiac  made  this  island  his  summer  residence,  and  in 

winter  lodged  at  the  Ottawa  village  opposite,  on  the  Canadian 

bank,  and  which  has  been  described  as  having  been  situated 

above  the  town  of  Detroit.    Poetry  may  imagine  him  here, 

musing  upon  the  inroads  of  the  English  and  the  declining 

fortunes  of  his  race,  and  looking  upon  the  gorgeous  domain 

which  was  spread  around  him,  and  which  now  constitutes  the 

most  beautiful  part  of  Michigan — as  a  territory  w  dch  was 

soon  to  pass  from  his  hands.     To  this  land  he  held  a  right 

of  pre-emption,  the  time  whereof  the  memory  of  man  ran  not 

to  the  contrary ;  and  superadded  to  this,  a  patent  from  the 

Great  Spirit,  which  established  his  title  on  solid  ground. 

When,  therefore,  Pontiac  was  informed  that  Major  Rogers, 
accompanied  by  the  first  English  detachment  which  had  ever 
advanced  into  this  quarter,  was  on  the  march  toward  Detroit, 
he  roused  like  a  lion  attacked  in  his  den.  On  the  7th  of  Novem- 
ber, when  Roger?  arrived  with  his  detachment  at  the  mouth 
of  Chogage  River,  he  was  met  by  a  body  of  Ottawa  mes- 
sengers, who  requested  him  to  halt  his  forces  until  Pontiac, 
the  king  of  the  country  he  was  in,  and  who  was  a  little  dis- 
tance off,  should  come  up.     At  the  first  salutation,  Pontiac 
demanded  of  Rogers  the  business  on  which  he  came,  and 
asked  him  how  he  dared  to  enter  his  country  without  his  per- 
mission.*    He  was  informed  by  Rogers  that  he  had  no  desio-n 
against  the  Indians,  and  his  only  object  was  to  remove  the 
French  out  of  the  country,  who  had  been  an  obstacle  in  the 
way  of  mutual  peace  and  commerce  between  the  Indians  and 
English.      With  this   information  friendly  messages   were 
given  by  Rogers  to  Pontiac,  and  also  several  belts  of  wam- 
pum.    In  answer,  Pontiac  told  him  that  he  should  "  stand  in 
his  path"  until  the  next  morning,  and  at  the  same  time  pre- 
sented him  with  a  small  string  of  wampum,  indicating  that 
he  must  not  advance  farther  without  his  leave.     When  he  de- 
parted for  the  night,  Pontiac  asked  Major  Rogers  whether  he 
wanted  any  thing  that  his  country  contained  ;  and  stated  that 

♦  Rogi^rs's  concise  arcotint  of  North  America. 


i  m 


11 


I 


92 


niSTOKY   OP    MICIIJOAN. 


wm 


ti 


i  -   '^ 


if  he  did,  he  would  send  his  warriors  and  bring  it.  He  was, 
however,  answered  that  any  tiling  which  was  furnished  by 
the  Indians  should  be  purchased.  On  tlie  next  morning 
a  council  having  been  held,  Pontiac  appeared  at  the  English 
camp,  and  stated  that  he  had  made  peace  with  the  English 
detachment,  and  as  n  pledge,  the  English  commandant  and 
Pontiac  both  by  turns  smoked  the  calumet.  He  also  inform- 
ed Rogers  that  he  would  protect  his  party  from  the  assaults  of 
the  Indians,  who  were  collected  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit 
River  to  oppose  his  progress ;  and  he  despatched  a  portion  of  his 
warriors  to  assist  Captain  Brewer  in  driving  the  oxen  which 
had  been  sent  from  Prcsque  Isle  to  Detroit.  He  also  sent  to 
the  Indian  villages  on  the  north  and  west  end  of  Lake  Erie 
to  inform  the  Indians  that  tlie  English  had  his  consent  to  pass 
through  the  country.  The  Indians  supplied  Rogers  with, 
venison,  trukeys,  and  several  bags  of  parched  corn  ;  and  they 
were  in  return  provided  with  ammunition  and  wampum.  After 
this  interview,  Pontiac  attended  Major  Rogers  until  his  arrival 
at  Detroit.  Having  encamped  some  distance  from  the  mouth 
of  the  Detroit  River,  Rogers  sent  Mr.  Brheme  with  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  Mr.  Bellestre,  at  that  time  the  French  comman- 
dant of  the  Fort  of  Detroit.* 

To  Captain  Bellestre,  or  the  officer  Dommanding  at  De- 
troit. 

''Sir  : — That  you  may  not  be  alarmed  at  the  approach  of 
the  English  troops  under  my  command  when  I  come  to  De- 
troit, I  send  forward  this  by  liicut.  Brheme,  to  acquaint  you 
that  I  have  General  Amherst's  orders  to  take  possession  of 
Detroit,  and  such  other  posts  as  are  in  that  district ;  which, 
by  capitulation,  agreed  to  and  signed  by  Jlarquis  de  Vau- 
dreuil  and  General  Amherst,  the  8th  of  September  last,  now 
belong  to  Groat  Britain.  I  have  met  with  the  Marquis  de 
Vaudreuil's  letters  to  you,  directed  for  your  guidance  on  this 
occasion  ;  which  letters  I  shall  deliver  you  when  I  am  at  or 


♦  The  name  of  the  French  commandant  is  written  in  different  modes  in 
RirerB's  correspondence  and  the  rcords  ot"  lid  t  day.  I  have  followed  the 
records. 


ENGLUni    TAKE    POSSESSION    OP    MIflllOAN. 


i)3 


by 


near  your  post,  nnd  shall  encamp  the  troops  I  have  vvitli  mo 
at  some  distance  from  the  fort ;  till  you  have  reasonable  time 
to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil's  in- 
structions, and  the  capitulation  ;  n  copy  of  which  I  have  with 
me  likewise.  i  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  humble  servant, 

"  Robert  Rogkus." 
When  tills  had  been  despatched,  Rogers  advanced   to  the 
mouth  of  a  river  which  nuis  into  Lake  Erie.     He  there  found 
a  number  of  Huron  chiefs,  who  told  him  "that  a  body  of 
four  hundred  warriors  was  collected  at  the  entrance  into  the 
great  strait,  in  order  to  obstruct  our  passage,  and  that  Mon- 
sieur Bellestre  luid  excited  them  to  defend  their  country  ;  that 
they  were  messengers  to  know  my  business,  and  whether  the 
person  I  had  sent  forward  h.ad  reported  the  truth,  that  Canada 
was  reduced."      Rogers  confirmed  the  report,  and  alleged 
that  the  Fort  of  Detroit  had  been  given  up  by  the  Frencirgo- 
vernor.     In  order  to  appease  their  feelings,  he  made  the  sub- 
joined speech,  presenting,  at  the  same  time,  a  large  belt  of 
wampum : — 

"  BiioTHERS— With  this  belt  I  take  you  by  the  hand  ;  you 
are  to  go  directly  to  your  brothers  assembled  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river,  and  tell  them  to  go  to  their  towns  till  I  arrive  at  the 
fort.  I  shall  call  you  there  as  soon  as  Monsieur  de  Bellestre 
is  sent  away,  which  will  be  in  two  days  after  my  arrival. 
We  will  then  settle  all  matters.  You  live  happily  in  your 
own  country.  Your  brothers  have  long  desired  to  bring  this 
about.  Tell  your  warriors  to  mind  their  flithers  (the  Fre'nch), 
no  more,  for  they  are  all  prisoners  to  your  brothers  (the  En- 
glish), who  pitied  them,  and  left  them  their  houses  and  goods, 
on  their  swearing  by  the  <^]ireat  One  who  made  the  world,  to 
become  as  Englishmen  foiever.  They  are  now  your  broth- 
ers ;  if  you  abuse  them,  you  affront  me,  unless  they  behave 
ill.  Tell  this  to  your  brothers  the  Indians.  What  I  say  is 
truth.  When  we  meet  at  Detroit,  I  will  convince  you  it  is 
oil  true." 

Rogers  continued  to  advance  toward  Detroit,  and  next  en- 
camped  on  the  west  side  of  Luke  Erie,  near  the  River  Raisin, 


rtt' 


I  L.I 


m 


m  • 


ml 


U    '      S 


94 


HISTORY    OP    MirHir.AN. 


where  he  could  scarcely  procure  fuel,  on  account  of  the  wet 
prairies  of  that  section  of  Michigan.  On  the  next  day  he  met 
the  Indian  messengers,  whom  he  had  before  seen,  \'\\o  told 
him  that  their  warriors  had  gone  to  Detroit,  and  that  Bellestre 
was  "a  strong  man,"  and  intended  to  fight  the  English. 
Among  these  was  a  sachem  of  the  Ottawas.  The  whole  par- 
ty set  out  with  the  English.  On  the  24th,  sixty  of  the  Indians, 
who  alleged  that  they  had  come  from  Detroit  the  day  pre- 
vious, arrived  at  the  camp  of  Rogers  in  the  evening.  These 
Indians  offered  to  escort  him  to  Detroit ;  and  stated  that  M. 
Brhemo,  who  had  been  despatched  with  the  letter  to  the  French 
commandant,  had  been  confined.  Tlie  French  command- 
ant at  Detroit,  in  order  to  work  on  the  minds  of  the  Indians, 
— who,  it  is  well  known,  are  strongly  impressed  with  symbols — 
when  he  had  heard  of  the  advance  of  the  English  under  Ma- 
jor Rogers,  erected  a  high  flag-staff,  with  an  effigy  of  a  man's 
head  on  the  top,  and  upon  this  head  he  liad  placed  the  image 
of  a  crow.  The  image  of  the  head,  he  told  the  Indians  re- 
presented Major  Rogers,  and  the  crow  was  himself.  The  in- 
terpretation of  this  group  was,  that  the  French  commandant 
would  scratch  out  the  brains  of  the  English.  The  Indians, 
however,  were  sceptical  as  to  the  truth  of  this  emblem,  and 
told  him  that  the  reverse  would  be  the  fact.* 

When  Rogers  arrived  near  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  River, 
he  was  requested  by  the  Indians  who  had  accompanied  him 
to  call  in  the  warriors  of  the  party  who  had  collected  at  that 
point,  to  cut  off*  the  detachment ;  and  he  spent  one  day  in  in- 
terchanges of  kindnesses,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  their 
friendship.  On  the  next  day  he  received  the  following  letter 
from  Bellestre  through  M.  Babeo  : — 

"Sir — I  received  the  letter  you  wrote  me,  by  one  of  your 
oflicers  ;  but  as  I  have  no  interpreter,  cannot  fully  answer  it. 
The  officer  that  delivered  me  yours,  gives  me  to  understand 
that  he  was  sent  to  give  me  notice  oryour  arrival  to  take  pos- 
session of  this  garrison,  according  to  the  capitulation  made  in 


♦  I  am  indebted  for  a  full  account  of  this  cxpodilion  to  the  Journal  of  Major  Ro- 
gers, its  commander.    See  that  Journal,  passim. 


i 


KNULISH    TAKE    POmSESSION    OF    MICIIIGAN,  95 

Canudu ;  that  you  have  hkewise  a  letter  from  Monsieur  Vau- 
dreuil,  directed  to  tne.  I  beg,  Sir,  you  will  halt  your  troops 
nt  the  entrance  of  the  river,  till  you  send  mo  the  capitulation 
and  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil's  letter,  that  I  may  act  in  con- 
formity thereto. 

"  I  am  surprised  there  is  no  French  officer  sent  to  me  along 
with  yon,  as  is  the  custom  on  such  occasions.    I  have  the 

^T,V"  ^'  ^'-^  *^'-  ^^^  Hkllesthe." 

•  Jo  Mr.  Rogers,  Major,  and  commander  ) 
of  the  English  detachvient:'  \ 

Soon  after  tliis,  a  French  party  beat  a  parley  on  the  western 
shore,  and  M.  M'Cormick  was  sent  over  to  enquire  the  object, 
and  soon  returned  with  the  following  letter,  whir»  was  pre- 
sented through  Captain  Barrager  ;— 

"  Detroit,  25th  Nov.  1760. 
Sm-I  have  already,  by  Mr.  Barrager,  acquainted  you 
wuh  the  reasons  why  I  could  not  answer  particularly  the 
letter  which  was  delivered  me  the  22d  instant  by  the  officer 
you  sent  to  me.  I  am  entirely  unac(iuainted  with  the  reasons 
of  his  not  returning  to  you.  I  sent  my  Huron  interpreter  to 
that  nation,  and  told  him  to  stop  them  should  they  be  on 
the  road,  not  knowing  positively  whether  they  were  inclined 
to  favor  you  or  us  ;  and  to  tell  them  from  me  they  should 
behave  peaceably  ;  that  I  knew  what  I  owed  to  my  General 
and  that  when  the  capitulation  should  be  settled,  I  was  oblio-1 
ed  to  obey.  The  said  interpreter  has  orders  to  wait  on  yoS, 
and  deliver  you  this. 

"Be  not  surprised,  Sir,  if  along  the  coast  you  find  the  in- 
habitants upon  their  guard.  It  was  told  them  you  had  seve- 
ral Indian  nations  with  you,  to  whom  you  had  promised  per- 
mission to  plunder,  nay,  that  they  were  even  resolved  to  force 
you  to  it.  I  have  therefore  allowed  the  said  inhabitants  to 
take  to  their  arms,  as  it  is  for  your  safety  and  preservation,  as 
well  OS  ours  ;  for,  should  those  Indians  become  insolent,  you 
may  not,  perhaps,  in  your  present  situation,  be  able  to  subdue 
them  alone. 

"  1  flatter  myself,  Sir,  thitt  as  soon  as  this  shall  como  to 
hand,  you  will  x-uJ  mu  t)y  huuo  of  the  gentlemen  you  have 


m 


IHSTOUY   OK    MICHIOAN. 


i,:  ' 


with  you,  both  the  capituhition  and  Monsieur  de  Vaudrcuil's 
letter.     I  huve  the  honor  to  he,  Sir, 

"  Your  very  humble  and  obedient  servant. 
"  To  Major  Ruircrs.  "Pkin  Ukm-k-stre." 

On  the  next  day  Rogers  advanced  five  niilos  uj)  tiio  river, 
and  encamped.  He  here  despatched  Captain  Campbell,  ac- 
companied by  M.  Barrager  and  Babee,  with  their  i)arties.  and 
they  curried  to  Bel  lest  re  the  letter  which  is  here  affixed  :— 

<-Siu— I  acknowlediire  the  receipt  of  your  two  letters,  both 
of  which  were  delivered  to  me  as  yesterday.  Mr.  Brheme 
has  not  yet  returned.  The  inclosed  letter  from  the  Marquis 
deVaudreuil  will  inform  you  of  the  surrender  of  all  Canada 
to  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  and  of  the  great  indulgence 
granted  to  the  inhabitants  ;  as  also  of  the  terms  granted  to 
the  troops  of  his  Most  Christian  Majesty.  Capt.  Campbell, 
whom  I  have  sent  forward  with  this  letter,  will  show  you  the 
capitulation.  I  desire  you  will  not  detain  him,  as  I  am  deter- 
mined, agreeable  to  my  instructions  from  General  Amherst, 
speedily  to  relieve  your  post.  I  shall  stop  the  troops  I  have 
with  me  at  the  hither  end  of  the  town  till  four  o'clock,  by 
which  time  1  expect  your  answer.  Your  inhabitants  will  not 
surprise  me  ;  as  yet  I  have  seen  no  other  in  that  position,  but 
savages  waiting  for  my  orders.  I  can  assure  you,  Sir,  the  in- 
habitants of  Detroit  shall  not  be  molested— they  and  you  com- 
plying with  the  capitulation  ;  but  be  protected  in  the  quiet 
and  peaceable  possession  of  their  estates  ;  neither  shall  they  be 
pillaged  by  my  Indians,  nor  by  yours  that  have  joined  me. 

"  I  am,  &c., 

'R.    ROGFRS." 

To  Capt.  Bcllestre,  cowvianding  at  Detroit.''^ 
As  soon  as  this  last  letter  had  been  sent  " c  p-i^hcd  his 
boats  up  the  Detroit  River,  and  drew  up  his  detachment  in  a 
field  within  half  a  mile  of  the  fort.  He  was  there  soon  joined 
ny  Capt.  Campbell,  accompanied  by  a  French  officer,  wlio 
stated  that  he  bore  M.  Bellestre's  complmients,  signifyino-  that 
he  ^^..u^nderthecommandof the  English.  Lieutenants  Lefflie 
'<ud  M'^"  ;rmick,  accompanied  by  t"hirty-six  Royal  Americans, 
rt  tre  then  sent  to  take  possession  of  Detroit.   The  Frcncli  gar- 


ENOLItJH    TAKK    HuartKasiON   01'    MICIIIOAN. 


97 


rison  surrendered  their  arms,  nnd  the  first  English  dag  was 
raised  upon  the  fort  amid  the  shouts  oi"  seven  hundred  Indians 
collected  around  that  station,  who  exulted  that  their  predic- 
tion respecting  the  crow  was  verified.* 

Contrary  to  the  expectations  of  the  English,  the  savages 
around  Detroit  seemed  amazed  at  the  suhmission  of  the  French, 
expressed  gratitude  that  they  were  not  massacred,  and  declar- 
ed, that  <'  they  would  always  for  the  future  fight  for  a  nation 
thus  lavorcd  by  Him  that  ruled  the  world."  Rogers  having 
arrived  at  the  fort,  received  a  plan  and  a  list  of  the  stores  from 
the  commandant,  disarmed  the  militia,  and  administered  to 
them  the  oath  of  allegiance.  The  commandant  Bellestre  and 
the  prisoners  of  war  were  placed  under  the  care  of  Lieutenant 
Holmes  and  thirty  Rangers,  to  bo  escorted  to  Philadelphia. 
A  party  of  twenty  men  were  also  sent  to  bring  the  French 
troops  from  the  posts  on  that  side  of  Lake  Erie,t  and  a  com- 
pany under  the  charge  of  Captain  Campbell  was  placed  in 
command  of  Detroit. 

Having  made  a  treaty  with  several  tribes  of  Indians  in  the 
neighboring  country,  Major  Rogers  advanced  toward  Lake 
Huron,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  possession  also  of  Michili- 
niackinac.  The  ice  in  that  lake,  however,  obstructed  his  pas- 
sage, and  lie  could  not  proceed  by  water.  He  therefore  serious- 
ly meditated  crossing  the  country  by  land  to  tliat  fort.  He  was 
informed  by  the  Indians  that  such  a  journey  was  impracticable 
without  snow-shoos  ;  and  he  was  accordingly  obliged  to  re- 
turn to  Detroit  without  accomplishing  that  object.  The  am- 
munition which  he  had  taken  from  the  stores  being  deposited 
at  Detroit,  he  departed  from  this  fort  on  the  21st  of  December, 
17G0,  for  Pittsburgh,  leaving  Captain  Campbell  in  charge  of 
the  station.  Thus  the  French  power  in  Michigan  was  for- 
ever overthrown. 


•  See  Rogers's  Journnl,  passim. 

t  These  forts  are  termed  by  Rogers  Mlwnie  ami  Gatnnms.    Rcers'g  Jour- 
nal, p.  229, 


h  :\ 


13 


''mfm 


IB 


HISTORV    OF    MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 


m  i 


■^'1 


■Mi 

it' 


it 'I 


Social  condition  of  Michigin  after  the  Conquest-Policv  of  Pontiac-Outbreak 

oftherontmc  war-Siege  of  Detroit-Battle  of  Bloody  BridcP_Hostie  dJ- 

inonstrat.on,  around  M.chilimackinac-Speech  of  Men.A  avana-Speech  of  a 

nZn:  trriv°  S'V:'  Trader-\^awatam-Destruction  o?  Miclnh- 
nmcluuac— ArriVd!  of  Bradstrcet— Indians  dispersed. 

Thk  social  condition  of  Michigan  was  not  much  altered 
by  the  transfer  of  its  dominion  from  the  French  to  the  British 
government.     The  French  subjects  were  permitted,  by  the 
capitulation  of  Montreal,  to  remain  in  the  country,  in  the  en- 
joyment of  their  civil  and  religious  rights;  and  the  fin-  trade 
was  prosecuted  upon  the  lakes  with  much  energy  by  English 
companies,  who  employed  French  agents  in  it^s  prosecmion. 
So  far  at,  the  advancement  of  agriculture  and  colonization  were 
concerned,  the  policy  of  England  in  Michigan  was  not  better 
than  that  of  France.    About  the  year  1763  the  British  mo- 
narch issued  .1  proclamation,  restricting  the  extinguishment  ol 
native  title.     The  English  governors  were  prohibited  by  this 
proclamation  to  issue  grants  of  land,  excepting  within  certain 
prescribed  limits ;  and  the  English  subjects  were  also  forbid- 
den to  make  purchases  of  the  Indians,  or  settlements,  without 
those  bounds.*     These  gn.nts,  purchases,  and  settlements, 
were,  however,  made,  and  they  form  an  important  part  of  the 
ancient  claims  to  land,  afterwards  adjudged  by  the  land  board 
of  Michigan.     Even  after  the  treaty  which  granted  the  ricrht 
of  possession  to  the  limited  states,  this  power  was  assumed'on 
the  part  of  its  inhabitants.     Settlements  were  made  by  the 
French  along  the  principal  streams  of  the  lakes.    The  farms 
scattered  upon  the  banks  of  tne  rivers  were  of  narrow  form 
surroundedby  pickets,  which  are  now  the  French  mode  ot 
enclosure ;  and  the  cottages,  about  fifty  in  number,  on  the 
strait  of  Detroit,  with  orchards  by  their  side,  were  constructed 
of  logs,  with  roofs  of  bark  or  thatched  with  straw.     It  is  stat- 

♦  Rpport  on  land  claims  in  Michigan,  by  the  land  board. 


If! 


CONDITION    OP    MICHIGAN    AFTER    VHT:    CONQUEST.       99 

ed  by  a  contemporary  of  that  npriod,  that  wheat  was  sown  in 
rows.     Potatoes  were  first  introduced  by  the  English      The 
Canadian  French  were  an  affable  and  contented  class  of  men 
preserving  the  same   habits   as  now  prevail   among  them 
throughout  the  state.*    Schools  were  unknown,  and  the  in- 
struction of  the  children  continued  to  be  derived  from  the 
Catholic  priests.     Coin  began  to  be  introduced  under  English 
jUTisdiction,  while  peltries  were  chiefly  the  circulatingmedium. 
1  he  first  horses  used  at  Detroit  wt  e  introduced  from  Fort 
Duquesne,  and  these  were  taken  from  the  English  bv  the  In- 
dians at  Braddock's  defeat.t 

But  the  English  government,  although  it  had  succeeded  to 
the  dominion  ofthe  north-western  lakes,  did  not  inherit  the 
friendship  ofthe  Algoiu.ain  tribes  in  that  quarter.  The  tribes 
ot  Indians  m  this  region  at  first  regarded  the  white  men  as  in- 
truders, and  the  smile  which  played  upon  the  countenance 
ot  1  ontiac,  when  he  first  met  the  detachment  of  Roo-ers  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Erie,  only  tended  to  conceal  a  settled  hatred  • 
as  the  setting  sunbeam  bedazzles  the  distant  thunder-cloud' 
He  had  made  professions  of  friendship  to  the  English,  doubt- 
less as  matter  of  policy,  until  he  could  have  time  to  plot  their 
destruction.  The  French  had  been  friends  to  his  race    They 
had  lodged  in  the  same  wigwam,  drank  at  the  same  stream  • 
they  had  hunted  and  fought  side  by  side,  and  were  mixed  in 
blood. 

Pontiac  believed,  and  that  conviction  was  probably  sought 
to  be  strengthened,  that  it  was  the  design  of  the  En<rlish  to 
drive  him  back  from  his  lands.     The  French,  doubtfess,  felt 
that  dissatisfaction  at  the  inroads  of  the  English  which'was 
natural  to  a  conquered  people,  although  they  professed,  and  in 
a  great  measure  practised,  neutrality.   As  a  harbinger  of  some 
great  calamity,  it  was  believed  in  the  superstition  of  the  day 
that  a  black  and  sulphureous  matter,  of  the  color  and  consis- 
tency of  ink,  which  rained  on  Detroit  in  1762,  and  which  was 
said  to  have  been  bottled  and  used  for  that  purpose,  portended 

♦  Documents  in  manuscript,  submitted  by  John  R.  Williams 
t  The  present  small  but  ha,,     race  of  hor.es  in  Michigan.'are  of  Norman 
Block,  but  diminished  in  size  by  stinted  fare,  hard  usage,  and  the  cold 


,>:- 

a 


100 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


IHi: 


»ip 


:r 


iiK 


important  events  which  were  approaching.*  Down  to  that 
period  Micliigan  had  rested  in  quietude,  while  war  blazed  at  a 
distance.  Its  streams  had  rolkid  their  liquid  silver  to  the 
lakes,  broken  only  by  the  fish  which  flashed  in  their  cur- 
rent, or  the  swan  which  floated  upon  their  surface.  Vegeta- 
tion flourished  alone.  Roses  bloomed  and  died  only  to  be 
trampled  by  the  deer  or  the  savage  ;  and  strawberries  studded 
the  ground  with  rubies  where  tiie  green  and  sunny  hill-sides 
reposed  amid  the  silence  like  sleeping  infants  in  the  lap  of 
the  forest.  The  rattlesnake  glided  undisturbed  through  its 
prairies ;  and  the  fogs,  which  hung  in  clouds  over  the  stagnant 
marshes,  spread  no  pestilence.  The  panther,  the  fox,  the  wolf, 
and  the  bear,  roamed  fearless  through  the  more  retired  parts 
of  the  domain,  for  there  were  none  to  dispute  with  them  their 
inheritance.  But  clouds  thickened.  In  the  darkness  of 
midnight  and  the  solitude  ot  the  v^ilderness,  the  tomahawk 
and  the  scalping  knife  were  forged  for  their  work  of  death. 
Counsels  were  held  by  the  lake  tribes,  in  which  was  di -cussed 
their  new  position  in  regard  to  the  power  which  had  advanced 
upon  their  lands.  They  determined  on  revenge.  Speeches 
were  made  under  the  voiceless  stars,  which  were  heard  by 
none  save  God  and  their  allies ;  and  the  war-song  echoed  from 
the  banks  of  lakes  which  iiad  never  been  pressed  by  the 
footstep  of  civilized  man.  The  war  belt  was  circulated 
through  the  remotest  Indian  villages,  and  savage  bands  were 
marshalled  for  tlie  approaching  storm. 

The  period  now  arrive!  in  which  was  enacted  the  most 
impressive  and  dramatic  scene  in  the  history  of  Michigan. 
Ponliac,  the  Algonquin  chief,  was  the  master  spirit  wlio 
brought  this  drama  into  action ;  and  from  its  origin  to  its  ter- 
mination he  was  the  prominent  figure  upon  the  stage.  It 
may  be  safely  alleged  that  no  American  savage  lias  exhibited 
ft  more  marked  character,  in  his  power  of  mind  to  grasp  great 
designs,  or  in  his  bold  and  strong  arm  in  carrying  diem  into 
execution.  He  had  evinced  great  judgment  and  clearness 
of  discrimination  in  his  interviews  with  Major  Rogers.     He 


*  See  Carver  for  this  fact. 


& 


WAR   OF    TIIF.    rONTIAC    CONFKDERACV. 


101 


sought  to  inform  himself  of  the  discipline  of  the  English 
forces,  inquired  the  mode  of  manufocturing  cloth  and  iron  • 
and,  even  wishing  to  see  England,  offered  a  part  of  his 
country  to  the  English  commandant  if  he  would  take  him 
there.  He  also  had  stated  to  the  English  that  he  was  willing 
to  remain  in  subordination  to  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  pay 
a  yearly  tribute  in  furs,  and  call  him  his  uncle*  After  the 
surrender  of  the  country,  he  intimated  that  he  was  also  ready 
to  encourage  the  settlement  of  the  English  in  his  country 
so  long  as  they  treated  him  with  respect ;  but  that  if  they 
failed  in  this,  he  should  exclude  them  from  it  and  «  shut  up 
the  way."  These  remarks  might  have  been  merely  policy, 
but  at  all  events  it  is  clear  that  he  did  not  consider  himself 
conquered. 

No  sooner,  therefore,  were  the  English  established  on  the 
lakeS;  than  he  projected  the  design  of  undermining  their  pow- 
er in  this  quarter  by  destroying  their  forts.  His  plan  was  to 
attack  the  Fnglish  posts  at  the  same  time  by  stratagem,  to 
massacre  their  garrisons,  take  possession  of  these  points,  and 
oppose  the  advance  of  the  British  upon  the  north-western 
waters.  He  presumed,  on  good  ground,  that  the  success  of 
the  Indians  m  this  enterprise  would  establish  their  confidence, 
and  combine  them  in  one  general  confederacy  against  the 
English  government.  In  his  operations,  facts  to  excite  their 
passions  were  furnished  in  the  conduct  of  the  British  soldiers, 
who  had  not  endeavored  to  conciliate  the  Indians,  and  in  the 
cold  indifference  manifested  by  tlie  English  traders,  which 
was  strongly  contrasted  with  the  sociality  and  kindness  of  the 
French.  Some  of  his  own  tribe,  the  Ottawas,  had  been  dis- 
graced by  blows  from  the  English  intruders.  After  the  plan 
of  his  policy  had  been  matured  in  his  mind,  Pontiac  called 
a  grand  council  of  warriors  at  tlie  river  Aux  Georce,  and 
he  there  addressed  them  with  great  vigor  and  eloquence.  Ta- 
king advantage  of  that  superstition  which  belongs  to  the  In- 
dian character,  he  stated  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  appeared  to 
a  Delaware  Indian  in  a  dream,  in  which  the  course  of  the  In- 


m: 


mi 
m 


♦  Rogers's  nccount  of  North  America. 


i 


102 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN, 


i 


\m 


!  I  iij 


Vi 


I'M 


P  r.t?  to'  r  1  "'""'  ^'""  ^^  ''''''''''  ^--  -dent 
spirit  ,  to  cast  away  the  manufactures  of  the  white  men.  to  re- 
turn to  the  use  of  the  skins  of  wild  beasts  for  clothing/and  to 
s7rZtl7'  -d  war-clubs.     «  Why,"  sa.d  tlt^  Great 

frZv     .   T'"'     ^'  ^""  ^""^^  ^'^^^^  ^°=^^^  "^  r^d  cloth- 
ing, (the  Enghsh),  to  enter  your  country  and  take  the  laud  I 

gave  you  ?     Drive  them  from  it ;  and  when  you  are  in  distress 

I  wjll  help  you."     He  also  showed  them  a  belt,  which  he  p    ! 

tended  to  have  received  from  the  French  king,  urgin^  hin.  to 

drive  out  tne  British,  and  secure  the  return  ^c^f  the  Fr  nch 

The  speech  of  Pontiac  had  its  full  effect;  for  the  n^otive  s 

urged  appealed  to  the  pride,  interest,  superstition,  and  nation- 

e  It  to  the  Indians  along  the  whole  line  of  frontier,  stretchino- 
a  housand  miles  on  the  lakes,  in  order  to  secure  their  co-opel 
lat.on  Among  those  who  were  inclined  to  join  this  p  ot 
were  the  Miamies,  the  Ottawas,  the  Chippewas,  the  Wy  ndo  ^s 
the  Potawatamies,  the  Mississagas,  the  Shawanese,  the  Otta 
gam.es,  and  the  Wmnebagoes  ;  and  their  plan  wa^  successful 
in  reducing  at  the  same  time  the  forts  of  Le  Bceuf,  Venango, 

onthrstT  't'  °"'"'"  ^"^^'  ^••^^"  ^'^y'Si.  Joseph 

the  Wabash,  Sandusky  and  Michilimackinac.     Pittsburo-  Ni 
agaia,  and  Detroit,  only  escaped.  '^ 

Dunng  the  month  of  May,  1763,t  the  attack  was  com- 
menced on  these   several   posts  about  the    same    time' be- 
fore ariy  suspicion  had  been  excited  on  the  part  of  the  English 
It  broke  out  like  lightning  from  the  midnight  cloud,     litt 

tlem     it'fi  f  f     "  '"^^'  """  --"cccssful  in  rising 
Bonquet,  who  dispersed  the  besiegers  with  the  bayonet 
Detroit  t  was  then  deemed,  from  its  location,  the  most  impor- 

*  Cass.  ^ 


WAR    OF   THE    PONTIAC    CONFEDEUACY, 


103 


tant  English  post,  as  it  commanded  an  extensive  region  of 
navigation  and  trade  upon  the  upper  lak-^s,  and  stood'^at  the 
very  broad  gate  of  the  north-western  waters.     At  the  city  the 
Detroit  River  is  about  half  a  mile  wide.     The  possession  of 
.IS  post  would  break  the  allegiance  of  the  French  inhabit- 
ants on  the  river,  and  form  a  chain  of  operation  for  the  sava- 
ges from  Lake  Michigan  to  Buffalo  and  Pittsburgh.    Pontiac 
determined,  therefore,  to  undertake  its  capture  in  person.     At 
that  time  the  town  was  garrisoned  by  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-two men  and  eight  officers,  of  whom  Major  Gladwyn,  who 
had  succeeded  Captain  Campbell,  was  commandant.*    It  was 
environed  by  three  rows  of  pickets,  forming  nearly  a  square. 
At  each  corner,  and  over  the  gates,  there  were  erected  block- 
houses ;  and  between  the  houses  and  pickets  there  was  a  cir- 
cular space,  called  the  Chemi7i  du  Ronde,  which  formed  a 
place  of  deposite  for  arms.     Anchored  on  the  river  in  front  of 
the  town,  were  two  armed  vessels,  one  called  the  Beaver  for 
the  purpose  of  its  defence  ;  and  the  fort  was  protected  by  three 
mortars— two  six-pounders  and  one  three-pounder.     These 
however,  were  badly  mounted,  and  seemed  to  be  better  calcu- 
lated to  terrify  the  Indians  than  for  substantial  defence.     In 
the  limits  of  the  town  there  were  also  about  forty-two  traders 
and  persons  connected  with  the  fur  trade,  who  were  provided 
with   provisions   and   arms,   besides   the   i^^^  families  who 
were  settled  within  the  palisade.     Most  of  the  houses  were 
enclosed  within  the  pickets,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  them 
by  the  protection  of  the  fort,  while  only  a  {^^^  French  farms 
were  scattered  along  the  banks  of  the  river.f 

The  plan  which  was  devised  by  Pontiac  to  destroy  the 
fort  of  Detroit,  exhibited  remarkable  cunning  as  well  as 
strategy.  He  had  ordered  the  Indians  to  saw  off  their  rifles 
so  as  to  conceal  them  under  their  blankets,  gain  admission  to 
the  lort,  and,  at  a  pre-concerted  signal,  which  was  the  delivery 
of  a  belt  of  wampum  in  a  certain  way,  to  rush  upon  the 

*  Cass 

^Xl^^  r'!r^  V  *""'''  """"'''"^  ^''^'^  '•^^  ^^"  °^  ^^^^  P°"'i«c  confederacy,  I  am 
ndeb  ed  to  LeCscourso  of  Lcw.s  Cass,  our  minister  to  France,  before  L  II.«. 
torical  Society  of  Michigan. 


%A 


t!''i' 


1^ » 


104 


HISTOUY    01"    iMICHIGAN. 


troops,  massacre  the  officers,  and  open  the  gates  t(f  the  war- 
riors on  the  outside,  who  should  stand  ready  to   co-operate 
Avith  those  within.     In  order  to  carry  this  plan  into  execution, 
he  encamped  at  a  httle  distance  from  Detroit,  and  sent  word 
to  Major  Gladwyn  that  he  and  his  warriors  wished  to  hold  a 
council  with  the  English  commandant  on  the  following  day, 
that  « they  might  brighten  the  chain  of  peace."     This  was  the 
8th  of  May,  1703.     The  council  was  granted.     On  the  eve- 
ning of  that  day,  an  Indian  woman,  who  had  been  employed 
by  Major  Gladwyn  to  make  him  a  pair  of  elk  skin  moccasins, 
which  he  intended  to  present  to  a  friend,  brought  them  to  the 
fort.     These  were  finished  in  so  handsome  a  manner,  that  he 
requested  the   wom.an   to   take  back  the  remainder  of  the 
skin,  and  make  them  into  others  for  himself.     He  then  paid 
her  for  those  which  she  had  made,  and  ordered  his  servant 
to  see  her  from  the  fort.     Having  arrived  at  the  gate  which 
looks  out  upon  the  Detroit  River,  she  lingered  as  If  her  busi- 
ness had  been  unfinished  ;  and  this  conduct  excited  some  re- 
mark.    The  servant  of  the  commandant  was  ordered  to  in- 
quire the  reason  of  her  delay,  but  he  could  procure  no  satis- 
factory answer.     At  length  the  commandant  called  her  within 
the  fort,  and  inquired  why  slie  loitered  about  the  gate,  and 
did  not  hasten  home   before   they  were  shut,  so  that  she 
might  complete  the  moccasins  at    th^  proper  time.      She 
replied  that  the  commandant  had  treated  her  with  great  kind- 
ness, and  tliat  she  did  not  wish  to  take  the  skin  away,  as  he 
prized  it  so  much,  because  she  could  '•'  7ievcr  bring  it  backP 
Something  seemed  to  be  struggling  in  her  bosom  for  utter- 
ance, and  at  length,  after  a  promise  that  the  disclosure  should 
not  turn  to  her  disadvantage,  and  that,  if  profitable,  she  might 
be  rewarded,  this  Indian  woman,  named  Catharine,  developed 
the  plot.    Major  Gladwyn  mentioned  his  apprehensions  to  the 
officer  next  in  command,  but  he  deemed  it  a  mere  trick  to 
frighten  him,  and  not  worthy  of  consideration.     The  night 
was  occupied  in  making  the  proper  preparations  ;  the  ammu- 
nition was  examined  and  arranged,  and  every  man  within  the 
fort,  both  trader  and  soldier,  was  directed  to  be  prepared  for 


I 


SIKOK    Ol'    DETROIT. 


105 


sudden  and  active  service.*      Tlie  deCeucoa  of  ihe  fort  wore 
strengthened,  the  arms  made  ready,  and  dnring  tlie  nio-ht 
guards  were  kept  upon  the  ramparts.     The  war  songs  and 
dances  of  the  Indians,  wiiich  generally  precede  any  important 
enterprise,   breaking  upon   the   silence   of   midnight,    only 
strengthened  his  suspicions  that  the  Indian  woman  had  told 
the  truth.     In  the  morning  of  the  9th,  about  ten  o'clock,  Pou- 
tiac  and  his  warriors  repaired  to  the  fort  of  Detroit,  and  they 
were  immediately  admitted  to  the  coimcil-house,  where  they 
were  received  by  Major  Gladwyn  and  his  ollicers.     During 
their  progress  toward  the  fort,  the  savages  had  noticed  a  re° 
markable  parade  of  soldiers  upon  the  ramparts  and  within  the 
town,  and  that  the  officers  in  the  council  chamber,  and  also 
the  Governor,  had  each  pistols  in  their  belts.     When  the  In- 
dians were  seated  on  their  skins  in  the  council  chamber,  Pon- 
tiac  inquired  what  was  the  cause  of  this  extraordinary  mili- 
tary preparation  ;  and  he  was  told  that  it  was  necessary  to 
keep  the  soldiers  to  rigid  discipline.     The  council  commenced 
by  a  speech  from  Pontiac,  in  which  he  professed  the  utmost 
friendship  for  the  English  ;  and  as  he  approached  the  period 
of  the  concerted  signal,  the  delivery  of  the  belt  of  wampum, 
his  gesticulations  became   more  violent.      Near  the  period 
which  had  been  described  by  the  Indian  woman  as  the  time 
when  the  belt  was  to  be  delivered,  and  the  fire  upon  the  gar- 
rison commenced,  the  Governor  and  his  officers  drew  their 
swords  from  their  scabbards  ;  and  the  soldiers  of  the  fort,  who 
had  been  drawn  around  the  doors  of  the  council-house,  which 
had  b<ien  intentionally  left  open,  made  a  clattering  upon  the 
ground  with  their  arms.       Pontiac,  whose   eagle  eye  had 
never  quailed  in  battle,  turned  pale  and  trembled,  and  deli- 
vered the  belt  in  the  usual  manner  ;  while  his  warriors  looked 
at  each  other  with  astonishment,  but  continued  calm.t 

Pontiac's  speech  having  been  concluded.  Major  Gladwyn 
commenced  his  answer  ;  but  instead  of  thanking  Pontiac  for 
his  professions  of  friendship,  lie  accused  him  of  being  a  traitor  ; 
and  in  order  to  convince  him  of  his  knowledge  of  the  plot,  ho 


*  Carver. 


t   Il)i(l, 


11 


m 


IN'- 


h 


105 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


ndvanced  toward  the  chief  who  sat  nearest,  and  drawing  aside 
his  blanket,  disclosed  the  sliortened  rifle,     lie  advised  him  at 
the  same  time,  to  leave  the  fort  before  his  young  men  slionld 
discover  the  design  and  massacre  the  Indians  ;  and  assnred 
Iiim  that  his  person  should  be  held  safe  until  he  had  advanced 
beyond  the  pickets,  as  he  had  promised  him  safety.     As  soon 
as  the  warriors  Iiad  retired  from  the  gates  of  the  fort,  they 
gave  the  yell,  and  fired  upon  the  English  garrison.     They 
then  proceeded  to  the  Commons,  where  an  Englishwoman 
and  her  two  sons  resided.     These  they  massacred  and  scalped. 
Tlie  cannibalism  of  the  savages  at  that  time  is  exhibited  in 
tlie  fact  that  a  respectable  Frenchman  was  requested  to  repair 
to  their  camp  and  partake  of  some  soup.     He  complied  with 
this  invitation,  and  after  he  had  finished  his  repast,  was  told 
that  he  had  eaten  a  part  of  this  English  woman.*  About  three 
miles  up  the  river  Detroit,  and  in  full  view  of  the  city,  is 
an  island,  which  is  named  from  the  fact  that  it  was  former- 
ly used  as  a  pasturing  ground  for  stock.     It  is  called  Isle 
de  Corhonor,  and  stands  like  a  fortress  guarding  the  entrance 
of  the  upper  lakes.     A  Frenchman  by  the  name  of  Jocelyn, 
who  was  herding  cattle  on  this  island,  and  a  discharged  ser- 
geant from  the  fort,  and  his  family,  with  the  exception  of  one, 
were  also  massacred  about  the  same  time  by  the  savages  ;t  and 
the  siege  of  Detroit  was  then  regularly  commenced. 

The  savages  soon  stationed  themselves  befiind  the  buildings 
which  were  scattered  outside  of  the  pickets,  and  from  these 
buildings,  as  well  as  the  pickets,  they  commenced  a  constant 
firing  upon  the  British  ;  which,  however,  did  but  little  da- 
mage. So  weak  did  the  commandant  consider  his  own  posi- 
tion, that  he  had  nearly  determined  to  evacuate  the  fort,  em- 
bark in  the  armed  schooner  on  the  river,  and  retire  to  Niagara, 
as  he  feared  a  direct  assault ;  but  he  was  assured  by  the 
French  inhabitants,  that  such  a  course  would  'lot  be  underta- 
ken by  tlie  Indians,  and  he  gave  up  the  project.!     Measures 

•  Mrs.  Tiirnbell,  to  whom  Major  Gladwyn  had  granted  a  plantation. 

t  In  another  account  it  is  stated  that  James  Fisher  and  his  wife,  and  also  four 
soldiers  who  were  with  him,  were  murdered,  and  that  iiis  children  and  servant- 
maid  were  taken  prisoners. — Thatcher, 

t  Cass's  Discourse. 


I'' 


SIEGE    OP   DETROIT. 


107 


m 


were  immediately  taken  to  bum  the  buildings  which  could 
furnish  covert  to  the  Indians,  by  hot  shot  and  occasional  sor- 
ties made  from  the  fort.     Shells  were  discharged,  and  the  In- 
dians practised  running  toward  these  shells,  and  blowitKr  out 
the  matches  before  they  had  exploded,  with  exulting  ?ells 
The  wilderness  poured  forth  its  ferocious  bands  of  sava^^es 
like  vultures  around  the  dead.    Pontiac,  although  he  was  The 
chief  actor  in  this  siege,  was  aided  by  several  Chippewa  and 
Ottawa  warriors,  who  maintained  a  subordinate  part.    Amoncr 
these  were  Mah.gam  the  Wolf:  Wabanamy  the  White  Stur" 
geon  ;  K,ttacolnsi  he  that  climbs  ;  Agouchiois,  a  friend  to 
the  trench,  all  of  the  Ottawa  tribe;  and  also  Gayash,,„e. 
Wasson  Macataywasson,  and  Pashquior,  Chippewa  chiefs.* 
When  the  buildings  around  the  fort  had  been  demolished, 
the  Indians  approached  a  low  ridge  which  overlooked  the 
pickets,  and  from  this  they  kept  up  a  fire  upon  the  garrison. 
During  the  Pontiac  war  Detroit  was  stored  with  a  lar-e 
quantity  of  valuable  goods,  alleged  to  amount  to  the  value'of 
five  hundred  thousand  pounds  ;  and  in  addition  to  that,  its 
demolition  would  unite  the  chain  of  operation  amoncr  the  In- 
dians, which  was  broken  by  the  establishment  of  the'' Eno-Hsh 
at  that  post.     Its  actual  position  during  the  siege  may  be  in- 
ferred  from  the  following  letter,  dated  Detroit,  July  6th  1763  • 
"We  have  been  besieged  here  two  months,  by  six  hundred 
Indians.    We  have  been  upon  the  watch  nijjht  and  day,  from 
the  commanding  officer  to  the  lowest  soldier,  from  the  8th  of 
May  ;  and  have  not  had  our  cloaks  off,  nor  slept  all  nio-ht  since 
It  began,  and  shall  continue  so  till  we  have  a  reinforcement 
up.     AN^e  then  hope  to  give  a  good  account  of  the  savao-os. 
Their  camp  lies  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort :  and 
that  IS  the  nearest  they  choose  to  come  now.     For  the  first 
two  or  three  days  we  were  attacked  by  three  or  four  hundred 
ot  them,  but  we  gave  them  so  warm  a  reception,  that  they 
don  t  care  for  coming  to  see  us  ;  though  they  now  and  then 
get  behind  a  house  or  garden,  and  fire  at  us  about  three  or 
four  hundred  yards  distance.     The  day  before  yesterday  wo 

♦  Manuscript  documents  from  John  R.  Williams. 


%. 


Vh 


1^ 


I 


109 


HISTOnV   OP   MICinOAN. 


I: 


^  f    il 


i 


ii'^i 


killed  a  chief  and  three  otiiers,  and  wounded  some  more. 
Yesterday  went  up  with  our  sloop,  and  battered  their  cabins  in 
such  a  manner  that  (hey  are  glad  to  keep  (hrther  ofl"." 

The  letter  here  aflixcd,  is  dated  the  9th  : — 

"  You  have  long  ago  heard  of  our  pleasant  situation,  but 
the  storm  is  blown  over.  Was  it  not  very  agreeable  to  hear 
every  day  of  their  cutting,  carving,  boiling  and  eating  our 
companions  ?  To  sec  every  day  dead  bodies  floating  down 
the  river,  mangled  and  disfigured.  But  Britons,  you  kmw, 
never  shrink.  We  always  appeared  gay,  to  spite  the  rascals. 
They  boiled  and  eat  Sir  Robert  Devers  ;  and  we  are  informed 
by  I\Ir.  Pan!!,  wiio  escaped  the  other  day  from  one  of  the  sta- 
tions surprised  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  and  command- 
ed by  Inmself,  that  he  had  seen  an  Indian  have  the  skin  of 
Captain  Robertson's  arm  for  a  tobacco-pouch. 

"  Three  days  ago,  a  party  of  us  went  to  demolish  a  breast- 
work they  had  made.  We  finished  our  work,  and  were  re- 
turning home  ;  but  the  fort  espying  a  party  of  Indians  coming 
Tip  as  if  they  intended  to  fight,  we  were  ordered  back,  made 
our  dispositions  and  advanced  briskly.  Our  front  was  fired 
upon  warmly,  and  returned  the  fire  for  about  five  minutes. 
In  the  meantime  Captain  Hopkins,  with  about  twenty  men, 
filed  off  to  the  left,  and  about  twoity  French  volunteers  filed 
oir  to  the  right,  and  got  between  them  and  their  fires.  The 
villains  immediately  fled,  and  we  returned,  as  was  prudent ; 
for  a  sentry,  whom  I  had  placed,  informed  me  he  saw  a  body 
of  them  coming  down  from  the  woods  ;  and  our  party  being 
but  about  eighty,  was  not  able  to  cope  with  their  united  bands. 
In  short,  wo  beat  them  handsomely,  and  yet  did  not  much 
hurt  to  them,  for  they  ran  extremely  well.  We  only  killed 
their  leader  and  wounded  three  others.  One  of  them  fired  at 
me  at  the  distance  of  fifteen  or  twenty  paces,  but  I  sui<f  ose 
my  terrible  visage  made  him  tremble.     I  think  I  shot  him."* 

•  In  order  to  show  «hc  power  of  Pontiac  over  the  tribcc,  it  is  stated  in  th-  D:  p 
troit  Diary,  a  somewhat  garbled  account  of  the  Pontiac  war, "  that  a  Mr.  Ruther,. 
ford  full  into  tlie  hands  of  the  savages,  and  that  a  Frenchman  was  employed  by 
one  of  the  garrison  to  redeem  him.  Eighty  pounds'  worth  of  goods  were  given 
for  that  object.    1  le  had  scarcely  been  released,  when  Pontiac  sent  a  band  of  fifty 


BIKOE   OF    DETUOIT. 


109 


Ig 


The  position  of  Pontiac  had  long  been  prominent  ns  the 
principal  chief  of  the  Indian  tribes  upon  tlie  borders  of  tlic 
lakes.     He  had  before  fought  with  great  success ;  and  as  early 
as  17'IG   he  commanded  a  body  of  Indians,  mainly  Ottawas 
in  the  defence  of  Detroit  against  the  combined  northern  tribes 
under  Mackinac  the  Turtle.*     The  Ottawas  had,  in  fact, 
ever  since  the  year  UOn,  been  strong  allies  of  the  French  ;* 
and  their  friendship  was  of  great  assistance  in  facilitating  the 
colonial  estal)lishmentN  on  the  lakes.     The  French,  in  return, 
were  warm  in  their  attachment  to  the  lake  tribes,  and  it  is 
well  known  that  a  part  of  them  instigated  the  action  of  Pou- 
tiac.   This  was  oidy  attributable,  however,  to  individuals ;  the 
body  of  the  French  people  preserved  their  faith,  ond  a  num- 
ber of  the  French  also  volunteered  for  the  English  against 
the  Pontiac  confederacy  at  the  siege  of  Detroit.     The  basis  of 
their  attachment  is  exhibited  in  the  subjoined  extract  of  an 
Indian  speech  made  in  1046  :— "  When  the  French  arrived  at 
these  falls,"  said  a  Chippewa  chief,  "  they  came  and  kissed  us. 
They  called  us  children,  and  we  found  them  fathers.  We  lived 
like  brethren  in  the  same  lodge,  and  we  always  had  where- 
withal to  clothe  us.     They  never  mocked  our  ceremonies, 
and  they  never  molested  the  places  of  our  dead.     Seven  gene- 
rations of  men  have  passed  away,  but  we  have  not  foro-otten 
it.     Just,  very  just,  were  they  towards  us."* 

All  tlie  means  which  the  savage  mind  could  suggest,  were 
employed  by  Pontiac  to  demolisii  the  settlement  of  Detroit, 
and  a  desultory  war  was  carried  on.  IJIazing  arrows  were 
shot  into  the  chapel  by  his  warriors,  for  the  purpose  of  burn- 
ing it ;  and  this  would  have  been  effected,  had  not  a  French 
Jesuit  convinced  Pont-nc  that  its  conflagration  would  call 
down  the  judgments  of  the  Great  Spirit.  During  the  siege, 
the  savages  endeavored  to  make  a  breach  in  the  pickets,  a"d, 
aided  by  Gladwyn,  who,  as  a  stratagem,  had  ordered  his  men 
to  cut  also  on  the  inside,  this  was  soon  accomplished,  and  the 

Indians,  to  carry  him  back  by  force.     "  No  nation,"  said  ho,  "  should  have  hber.. 
ly  to  sell  tlieir  prisoners  till  the  war  was  over." 

*  Were  not  thogo  "  Northern  tribes"  the  Iroquois  ? 

t  Cousiilt  Schoolcraft's  Discourse. 


I', 


u 


I' 


!£4 


i 


110 


IHHTOIIV    OP    MlCmOAN. 


IM 


brca.I,  \ms  soon  fill,.,l  with  liHlinns.  At  this  instant  n  hrnss 
lom-poinukT  was  {iischaiiri.;!  „pon  tli.'  mlvanomir  .sava^r,.s, 
which  niado  a  dostruclive  havoc.  After  that  period  the  lort 
wns  merely  investtid  ;  supplies  were  cut  oil]  and  the  Kiijrhsh 
were  reduced  to  crrent  distress  from  the  diminulioa  of  Huur 
rations. 

Ahijor  Rogers  had  iriven  thn  rommnnd  of  the  fort  of  De- 
troit to  IMajor  Campheli,  and  ho  had  held  it  since  tlie  surren- 
der of  (1...  country,  although  he  had  been  once  supei-seded. 
This  olii.vr  was  well  known  to  the  Indians,  and  was  est(>emed 
for  his  kindness   both  by  the   l-'rench  and  savajres.     It  was 
made  a  point  of  policy  by  I'ontiac  to  jrct  this  otHcer  into  his 
jmssession,  as  n  plodcro  for  the  surrender  of  the  fort ;  and  for 
that  object  he  requested  some  of  the  principal  French  inhabit- 
ants  to  s.vIc  an  interview  with  M-.jor  (.^unpbell,  and  inform 
Inm  that  Ponliac  wished  him  to  come  to  Ins  camp,  in  order 
that  that  they  miirlit  terminate  the  war  and  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace.     C.odfroy  and  Chapoton,  two  estimable  French  citi- 
zons,  advised  this  interview,  on  the  solemn  promise  by  I'ontiac 
that  he  should  iviurn  to  the  fort  in  safety.     In  order  ♦o  bring 
the  war  to  a  peaceful  termination  if  possible,  he  consented  ; 
and,  accompanied  by  Lieut.  McDoucrall,  he  repaired  to  the  In! 
dian  quarters,  and  was,  at  first,  well  received.     The  crafty 
cliiol,  however,  did  not  comply  with  his  promise,  and  the 
iMiirlish  odicers  were  at  len:rth  detained  at  the   house  of  M 
Melvehi,  near  FJloody  Ikid-e.     Campbell  was  offered  his  life 
for  the  surrender  of  the  fort;  but  the  unprincipled  conduct 
which  Pontiac  had   before  manifested,   weakened  all  confi- 
-encc  in  his  word.     I'he  prisoners  were  permitted  to  walk 
out  from  time  to  time,  but  little  chance  seemed  offered  for  es- 
cape, as  they  were  surrounded  by  Indians.      Lieut.  McDou- 
gall  i)roposed  to  attempt  it,  but  as  his  sight  was  somewhat 
affected,  he  declined  the  proposition.     McDougall,  however, 
afterwards  made  his  escape,  and  reached  the  fbrt  of  Detroit 
withct  injury.     Tlie  fate  of  Major  Campbell  was  of  unfortu- 
nate termination.     An  Ottawa  chief  of  note  had  been  killed  at 
Miclulimackmac,  and  liis  nephew,  who  was  in  that  siege,  had 
hastened  lor  revenge  to  Bloody  Bridge.     Here  he  found  Ma- 


..    I 


8IKCJK    OF   DETHOir. 


Ill 


jor  Campbell,  and  imrncdiatuly  despatched  him  witfi  his  toma- 
hawk ;  niid  the  savn^ro  thoii  fled  to  Hagiiiuw,  to  escape  the  ven- 
geance of  I'ontiac,  who  was  justly  indi<r,iant  at  this  act. 

While  the  si(.<re  was  iu  profrnjss,  and  on  the  2U  of' May 
the  smaller  vessel,  which  had  b.jen  anchored  in  the  river  woi 
despatched  to  iNiajfara  to  hasten  thearrivalof  a  reinli.rcemcnt 
with  anus  and  provisions,  which  had  been  expected.     Twen- 
ty  battoaux,  which  had  been  sent   from  that  place  wiUi  a 
detachment  of  troops  and  army  stores,  arrived  at  |>onl   Pclce 
apprehending  no  danger,  and  there  they  encamped.     The  de' 
tachment  consisted  of  Green's  Hangers,  amounting  to  nh.ety- 
seven  men,  with  Lieut.  Cnylcr.  The  Indians  who  were  station- 
ed  at  that  place,  had  watched  their  movements,  and  liad  mark- 
ed  their  place  of  encampment,  and  about  th.j  dawn  of  day  they 
were  attacked  and  massacred.     All  tlie  men  in  this  expedition 
wereeither  taken  or  killed,  excepting  one  ofhcer,  who  rushed  to 
a  boat  with  thirty  men,  and  crossed  Lake  Krie  to  Sandusky 
Bay.     These  barges  were  guarded  by  the  Indians,  who  com- 
pelled  the  British  prisoners  to  navigate  the  boats,  while  they 
were  escorted  toward  Detroit  by  the  Indians  on  the  Canadian 
bank  of  the  river.     When  they  arrived  near  the  fort,  four 
British  soldiers  in  tlie  first  batteau  determined  to  effect  their 
liberation  or  die  in  the  attempt ;  and  by  suddenly  chancri„,r 
(he  course  of  the  boat,  they  made  their  intentions  known  to 
the  crew  of  tlie  armed  schooner  near  the  shore  by  loud  cries  • 
The  Indian  guards  on  board  this  boat  leaped  overboard  ;  and 
one  of  them  dragged  a  soldier  with  iiim  info  the  water,  where 
they  were  both  drowned.     The  fugitives  in  their  escape,  wore 
hred  upon  by  the  Indians  in  the  other  boats,  and  also  by  those 
on  the  bank  ;  but  no  injury  was  done,  excepting  the  wounding 
Of  one  soldier,  as  the  Indians  were  soon  dispersed  by  the  fire 
from  the  armed  schooner  on  the  Detroit  side.     The  other  sol 
diers  escaped  to  the  shore  in  the  boat,  which  soon  readied 
the  vessel.     In  order  to  prevent  their  escape,  the  remainino- 
prisoners  were  immediately  landed  and  marched  up  to  IIo^ 
island,  where  tliey  were  massacred  and  scalped.    On  the  30th 

♦  Cass. 


•SJ* 


,11  •  '1 
If- 1 


?' 


^:|i 


¥i 


112 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


|i-'  ' 


'   fi 

li 


|£J»i 


instant,  the  sentinel  had  first  announced  that  the  fleet  of  boots 
was  coming  round  the  point  of  the  Huron  Church,  and  the  En- 
glish had  assembled  on  the  ramparts  to  witness  the  arrival  of 
their  friends  ;  but  they  were  only  greeted  by  the  death-song  of 
the  savages,  which  announced  their  death.  The  1  ight  of  hope 
flickered  on  their  countenance  only  to  be  clouded  with  the 
thick  darkness  of  despair.  It  was  these  barges  ;  but  they  were 
in  possession  of  the  savages,  and  filled  with  the  scalps  and 
prisoners  of  the  English  detachment. 

During  the  siege,  the  body  of  the  French  people  maintained 
a  neutral  relation  toward  the  Indians  and  the  English,  although 
a  few  Canadians  had  aided  their  cause,  who  were  held  in 
contempt  by  their  countrymen.  They  had  taken  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  and  were  prisoners  of  war  under  capitulation. 
This  neutrality  was  necessary  to  be  preserved  unless  they 
chose  to  place  themselves  in  the  attitude  of  revolution.  The 
fact  that  they  did  not  take  side  with  the  Indians,  roused  a 
feeling  of  disaffection  in  the  minds  of  the  savages  ;  and  their 
doors  were  broken  open,  their  provisions  plundered,  and  their 
cattle  killed  by  the  forces  of  Pontiac  Some  remuneration 
was,  however,  subsequently  made  by  the  Ottawa  in  levying 
upon  the  French  for  his  supplies.  He  appointed  a  commis- 
sary, and  issued  bills  of  credit  made  of  bark,  with  an  otter,  the 
to/.e>n  of  his  tribe,  drawn  upon  them,  and  delivered  these  to 
the  French  people.  These  bills,  when  payable,  were  faith- 
fully redeemed. 

But  the  Indians  soon  discovered  that  their  power  was  insuf- 
ficient for  the  reduction  of  the  fort  of  Detroit ;  and  they  were 
anxious  to  form  a  league  with  the  French  for  that  object. 
Pontiac  therefore  called  a  councfl  cf  his  warriors  and  the  prin- 
cipal French  inhabitants  near  Detroit,  on  the  23d  of  May, 
1763,  and  addressed  to  them  the  following  speech  :— 

"  My  Brothers,"  these  were  his  words,  "  I  have  no  doubt 
but  this  war  is  very  troublesome  to  you  ;  and  that  my  warriors, 
wlio  are  continually  passing  and  repassing  through  your  set- 
tlements, frequently  kill  your  cattle  and  injure  your  property. 
I  am  sorry  for  it ;  and  hope  you  do  not  think  I  am  pleased 
with  this  conduct  of  my  young  men.     And  as  a  proof  of  my 


m  '!4      r 


PONTIAC'S    SPEIXH    TO    THE    FRENCH.  113 

friendship,  recollpct  the  war  you  had  seventeen  years  ao-o 
(1746),  and  the  part  1  took  in  it.     1'he  northern  nations  com- 
bined togctlier,  and  came  to  destroy  you.  Who  defended  you  t 
Was  it  not  myself  and  my  young  men  ?     The  great  chief 
Mackinac  (tlie  Turtle)  said  in  council,  that  he  would  carry 
to  his  native  village  the  head  of  your  chief  warrior,  and  that 
he   would  eat  his   heart  and  drink  his  blood.     Did  I  not 
then  join  you,  and  go  to  his  camp  and  say  to  fiim,  if  he  wished 
to  kill  the  French,  he  must  pass  over  my  Iwdy  and  the  bodies 
of  my  young  men  ?  Did  I  not  take  hold  of  the  tomahawk  with 
you,  aid  you  in  fighting  your  battles  with  Mackinac,  and  driv- 
n)g  him  home  to  his  country?    Why  do  you  think  1  would 
turn  my  arms  against  you  ?     Am  I  not  the  same  French  Pon- 
tiac  who  assisted  you  seventeen  years  ago  ?     I  am  a  French- 
man, and  i  wish  to  die  a  Frenchman. 

"  My  brothers,"  said  Pontiac,  throwing  a  war  belt  into  the 
midst  of  the  council,  ■'  I  begin  to  grow  tired  of  this  bad  meat 
which  is  upon  our  lands.     I  begin  to  see  that  this  is  not  your 
case  ;  for,  instead  of  assisting  us  in  our  war  with  the  English, 
you  are  actually  assisting  them.     I  have  already  told   you, 
and  I  now  tell  you  again,  that  when  I  undertook  this  war.  it 
was  only  your  interest  I  sought,  and  that  I  know  what  I  was 
about.     I  yet  know  what  I  am  about.     This  year  they  must 
all  perish.     The  Master  of  Life  so  orders  it.    His  will  is 
known  to  us,  and  we  must  do  as  he  says.    And  you,  my  breth- 
ren, who  know  him  better  than  we  do,  wisli  to  oppose  hi.$ 
will  !     Until  now,  I  have  avoided  urging  you  upon  this  sub- 
ject, in  the  hope  that  if  you  could  not  aid,  you  would  not  in- 
J7ire  us.    I  did  not  wish  to  ask  you  to  fight  with  us  against 
the  English,  and  I  did  not  believe  you  would  take  part'^with 
them.     You  will  say  you  are  not  with  them.    I  know  it  • 
but  your  conduct  amounts  to  the  same  thing.     You  will  tell 
them  all  we  do  and  say.     You  carry  our  counsels  and  plans 
to  them.      Now,  take  your  choice.      You  must  be  entirely- 
French  like  ourselves,  or  entirely  Englisli.  If  yviti  are  French, 
take  this  belt  fur  yourselves  and  your  young  nwn,  and  join 
ns.     If  you  are  Englisli,  we  declare  war  against  you." 
His  solicitations,  however  did  not  prevail  ;  and  the  French 

15 


ml 


if  i' 


114 


IIISTOUY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


il 


!,iMi 


II  a 


r 

];!. 


continued  steadfast  in  their  nentrality.  Many  were,  how- 
ever, in  tlie  confidence  of  the  Indians,  and  a  French  citizen, 
M.  Byaufuit,  had  been  shown  the  sliorteiied  rille,  and  informed 
of  the  plot  on  the  morning  in  which  it  was  to  lie  executed,  by 
one  of  the  w^arriors,  the  last  in  the  party  of  Pontiac,  and  a 
particular  friend  wliom  lie  had  met  with  the  band  during  that 
morning  upon  Bloody  Bridge.  But  the  news  arrived  on  the 
3d  of  June  of  the  treaty  of  peace  of  17G3,  by  which  the  coun- 
try was  ceded  to  England,  and  thus  furnished  a  double  bond 
to  maintain  their  neutrality.  When,  therefore,  Pontiac  solicit- 
ed them  to  join  his  cause  against  the  EnglisI),  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal citizens  was  authorized  to  speak  in  the  name  of  that 
people.  Exhibiting  the  articles  of  peace  between  the  French 
and  the  British  governments,  he  replied,  "My  brother,  you  see 
that  our  arms  are  tied  by  our  great  fath<  i,  the  king  ;  untie 
this  knot,  and  we  will  join  you.  Till  that  is  done,  we  shall 
sit  quietly  upon  our  mats." 

About  this  time  the  vessel  which  had  been  despatched  to 
Niagara,  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  River,  with  sixty 
troops,  and  supplied  with  provisions  and  arms.  The  Indians 
had  made  every  attempt  to  capture  this  vessel,  which  had 
been  impeded  from  sailing  up  the  river  by  the  course  of  the 
wind.  For  the  purpose  of  boarding  her  as  she  ascended,  the 
forces  of  Pontiac  left  the  siege  of  Detroit,  and  repaired  to 
I'ighting  Island,  which  is  just  below  the  city.  At  the  mouth 
of  the  river  the  Indians  had  annoyed  her  in  their  canoes,  but 
she  soon  left  luider  a  brisk  wind,  and  reached  the  point  of 
that  island,  where  it  failed,  andshe  was  there  obliged  to  anchor. 
For  the  purpose  of  concealing  the  strength  of  the  vessel,  the 
Captain  had  concealed  his  men  in  the  hold  ;  and  as  soon  as 
evening  came  on,  the  Indians  proceeded  in  silence  to  board 
the  vessel  from  their  canoes,  while  the  men  on  board  were 
secretly  ordered  up  to  take  their  stations  at  the  guns.  The 
Indians  approached  near  the  side,  when  the  signal  for  a  dis- 
charge was  given  by  a  blow  upon  the  mast  with  a  hammer* 
The  power  of  the  discharge  killed  and  wounded  many,  the 
rest  escaped  in  their  canoes  ;  and  on  the  next  morning  the  ves- 
sel dropped  down  the  river,  and  remained  six  days  waiting 


BIEGE    OP    DETROIT. 


115 


for  a  fair  wind.    On  the  30th  she  arrived  without  accident  at 
Detroit.* 

It  now  became  an  important  object  with  Pontiac  to  destroy 
the  vessels  whicli  were  anchored  before  the  town  of  Detroit  • 
because  they  tended  to  protect  the  shore,  and  also  furnished 
means  of  communication  by  water  to  the  other  EngHsh  posts 
on  the  lakes.     For  that  purpose  the  barns  of  many  of  the  in- 
habitants were  torn  down,  and  the  materials  made  into  a  raft, 
filled  with  pitch  and  other  combustibles,  which  should  burn 
with  great  rapidity  and  intenseness.     The  whole  mass  was 
then  towed  up  the  river,  and  fire  was  added  under  the  suppo- 
sition that  the  stream  would  carry  it  down  in  contact,  and  set 
fire  to  the  vessels.     The  attempt  was  made,  but  without  suc- 
cess.    The  English,  aware  of  this  attempt,  had  anchored  boats 
above  the  vessels  connected  by  chains  so  as  to  ward  off  this 
blnzing  mass.     Th*-  plan  was  successful,  and  the  burning 
rafts  floated  down  the  river  without  doing  any  damage. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  a  fleet  of  gun  boats  sailed  up  the  De- 
troit River,  each  containing  four  swivels,  two  mortars  ;  and 
the  whole  a  detachment  of  three  hundred  regular  troops,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Dalyell,  an  aid-de-camp  of  Sir  Jef- 
frey Amherst,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  British  forces  in 
Canada.     When  this  fleet  appeared  in  sight,  a  gun  was  fired 
from  the  fort,  and  it  was  answered  from  the  boats.     They  soon 
arrived  in  safety.     Supposing  that  Pontiac  might  be  surprised 
in  his  camp,  a  plan  was  concerted  on  that  evening  to  march 
against  him  for  that  object.     Accordingly,  on  the  mornino-  of 
the  31st  of  July,  about  two  o'clock,  Capt.  Dalyell,  with  a  force 
of  about  217  men,  marched  up  two  deep  aloui;  the  Detroit 
River,  toward  Ponliac's  camp;  while  two  gun-boa(s  in  the 
river  were  pushed  against  the  stream  to  cover  the  retreat  and 
take  off  the  wounded  and  dead.     Information  of  this  contem- 
plated attack  had  been  in  some  mode  communicated  to  the  In- 
dians, and  they  removed  their  women  and  children,  and  pre- 
pared for  the  reception  of  the  British  troops.  A  party  of  war- 

*  Tlie  ciimint  nccotmf,  connected  with  the  order  of  the  captain  to  blow  np 
this  vessel  wlion  she  was  nttacked  and  the  Indians  were  ascending  her  deck, 
docs  not  appear  to  be  well  aiilhenticated. 


f  1 


n 


w 


1 

I 


. !'  '1 


m 


116 


HISTORY    OP    !\1I('HIGAN. 


■  4j  i    j 


'  i  % 


f  ^ 


,' 

h  i 

ill 

I 

'i 

iif 

i 

riors  was  stationed  beliind  the  piclcets  upon  a  neighboring 
fiirm,*  and  another  at  Bloody  Bridge,  which  is  about  a  mile 
and  a  Iialf  from  Detroit  on  the  main  ro  d.  Here  they  were 
concealed  in  the  high  grass  behind  pickets  and  heaps  of  cord 
wood.t  The  British  party  had  readied  the  bridge,  when  a 
sudden  and  destructive  fire  was  poured  upon  them  from  the 
cord  wood  and  the  grass.  This  threw  them  into  the  utmost 
confusion.  The  attack  in  the  darkness  from  an  invisible 
force  was  critical.  At  the  first  fire  Capt.  Dalyell  fell. 
The  British  fought  with  desperation,  but  were  fittackedon  all 
sides,  and  a  vigorous  charge  was  made  by  the  bayonet  upon 
the  positions  of  the  Indians  ;  but  a  scattering  fire  was  kept  up 
by  the  savages  from  every  place  that  could  furnish  them  a 
cover.  At  length,  finding  that  their  situation  was  perilous, 
the  British  were  ordered  to  retire,  which  was  effected  without 
serious  loss  in  this  manoeuvre,  under  the  direction  of  Captain 
Grant,  aided  by  that  energetic  and  patriotic  ofiicer.  Major  Ro- 
gers.}: This  retreat  was  covered  on  the  shore  of  the  Detroit 
River  by  the  armed  gun-boats  :  and  the  whole  party  arrived 
at  the  fort  about  8  o'clock.  It  was  only  effected,  however, 
by  driving  the  Indians  from  house  to  house  and  field  to 
field,  until  a  line  of  defence  could  be  made  toward  the  fort. 
In  this  action,  according  to  the  official  returns,  there  were 
19  killed  and  42  wounded.  Tlie  place  of  its  occurrence  is 
called  Bloody  Bridge. 

♦  That,  of  Mr.  Dcqnindrc. 

f  Consult  Cass,  Drake,  and  Thatil  er. 

I  Mnjir  Roi^ers  deserves  a  passing  notice.  One  of  those  iron  men  of  early 
times,  which  called  forth  the  strongest  powers  of  the  mind  and  'he  firmest  endur- 
ance of  the  body.  He  was  equally  successful  in  wielding  the  sword  and  the  pen. 
After  he  had  cut  his  way  through  the  foresis  against  the  Indians  and  the  French, 
he  published  a  journal  of  hid  travels.  lie  was  a  contemporary  and  rival  of  Gen. 
Putnam  ;  and  he  is  obnoxior.s  to  no  charge  but  that  of  having  turned  Tory,  ani 
leaving  this  country  for  England.     Caesar  and  Napoleon  have  made  conquests, 

"  And  fame,  which  all  hunt  after  n  their  lives, 
Lives  registered  upon  their  brazen  tombs  j" 

while  the  reputation  of  those  men  who  have  borne  the  brunt  of  battle  in  a  subor- 
dinate character,  is  overshadowed.  The  name  of  Rogers  should  live  as  long  ag 
the  records  ©'"the  [-'ngliRh  government  in  this  country. 


n  ' 


MICIIILrMACKIXAC, 


117 


"  Her  lake  a  sheet  of  silver,  and  lier  plain, 
Rent  by  no  ravage  save  the  gentle  plough ; 
Her  aged  trees  rise  thick,  as  once  the  slain 
Lay  where  their  rods  are  ;  but  a  brook  hath  ta'en, 
A  little  rill,  of  scanty  stream  and  bed, 
A  name  of  blood  from  that  day's  sanguine  rain." 

Wliile  these  events  were  passing  at  Detroit,  occurrences  of 
no  less  interest  and  more  destructive  in  their  consequences, 
were  transpiring  at  Michilimackinac,  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  peninsula  of  Michigan.     They  were  set  in  motion  hy 
Pontiac,  the  same  master-mind  which  had  plotted  the  over- 
throw of  the  other  posts  on  the  lakes.     At  that  time  the 
fort  of  Michilimackinac  enclosed  an   area  of  two  acres.     It 
was  surrounded  by  pickets  of  cedar,  was  situated  near  the 
water,  and  when  the  wind  was  at  the  west   the  waves  broke 
against  the  foot  of  the  stockade.     On  the  bastions  there  were 
two  small  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  taken  some  years  before  by 
a  party  of  Canadians,  in  an  expedition  against  the  tradino- 
posts  of  Hudson's  Bay.     The  stockade  contained  about  thirty 
houses  of  commodious  form  ;  and  also  a  cliapel,  in  which 
mass  was  regularly  said  by  a  .Tesuit  missionary.     The  inha- 
bitants at  that  time  derived  their  principal  support  from  the  In- 
dian trrders,  wlio  congregated  at  that  point  in  their  voyao-os 
to  and  from  Montreal.     Here  the  furs  were  collected  for  trans- 
portation from  the  upper  lakes,  and  the  outfits  were  prepared 
for  Lake  Michigan,  Lake  Superior,  the  Mississippi,  and  there- 
mote  north-west.     It  contained,  in  1763,  about  thirty  families. 
The  garrison  at  that  time  was  composed  of  ninety  privates, 
two  subalterns,  and  the  commandant ;  and  there  were  then 
only  four  FiUglisli  merchants  at  the  fort.     Alexander  Henry, 
an  English  trader,  wli.o  was  invested  with  the  right  of  traffic- 
ing  with  the  natives,  owing  to  the  prejudices  which  at  that 
time  existed  against  the  English,  was  oliliged  to  disguise  him- 
self as  a  Canadian  on  his  passage  to  Michilimackinac.     After 
he  arrived  at  that  place,  he  was  visited  by  a  body  of  Chippe- 
was,  sixty  iii  number,  each  with  his  blanket  thrown  over  his 
shoulder,  his  tomahawk  in  one  hand  and  his  scalping-knife  in 
the  other ;    with  feathers  thrust  through  their  noses,  their 
laces  painted  with  grease  and  charcoal;  and  their  bodies,  which 


w 


Mm 


I      iS 


118 


niSTOIlY   or    MirHlOAN. 


Ill 

'  Im 

!r^       1 

■ 


were  naked,  wcro  marked  in  various  fiirures  with  white  clay. 
Attor  seatinjr  themselves  around  him,  he  was  addressed  in  the 
followino;  speech  by  Minavavana  tlieir  chief,  who  at  the  same 
time  gave  him  a  Uwv  strings  of  wampum  :— 

''EngHshmen,  it  is  to  you  that  I  speak,  and  I  demand  your 
attention. 

"  Enghshmen,  you  knov  ;  French  king  is  our  father. 

ITe  promised  to  be  such,  ana  ■  .  in  return  promised  to  he  his 
children.     This  promise  we  have  kept. 

"  Enghshmen,  it  is  you  tliat  Iiave  made  war  with  this  our 
father.  You  are  his  enemy  ;  and  how  then  could  you  have 
the  bohhiess  to  venture  among  us,  his  children  ?  You  know 
tliat  his  enemies  are  ours. 

"  Englishmen,  we  are  informed  that  our  father,  tlie  king  of 
France,  isoldand  infirm  ;  and  tliat,being  fatigued  with  nialdno- 
war  upon  your  nation,  lie  has  liillen  asleep.  During  this 
sleep  you  have  taken  advantage  of  him,  and  j)os.sessed\our- 
selves  of  Canada.  But  his  nap  is  almost  at  an  end.  I  think 
I  hear  hnn  already  stirring  and  inquiring  for  Iiis  children  the 
Indians  ;  and  when  he  does  awake,  what  must  become  of 
you  I     He  will  destroy  you  utterly. 

"  Englishmen,  although  you  have  conquered  the  French, 
yon  have  not  yet  conquered  us.  We  are  not  your  slaves! 
These  lakes,  theso  woods  and  mountains,  are  left  to  us  by  our 
ancestors.  They  are  our  inheritance,  and  we  M'ill  part  with 
them  to  none.  Your  nation  supposes  that  we,  like  the  white 
people,  cannot  live  without  bread,  and  pork,  and  beef;  but 
you  ought  to  know  that  He,  the  Great  Spirit  and  Mast'(>r  of 
I-ite,  has  provided  food  for  us  in  these  spacious  lakes  and  on 
these  woody  mountains. 

"  Englishmen,  our  father,  the  king  of  France,  employed  our 
young  men  to  make  war  upon  your  nation.  In  this  warfare 
many  of  them  have  been  killed  ;  and  it  is  our  custom  to  re- 
taliate imtil  such  time  as  the  spirits  of  the  slain  are  satislied. 
But  the  spirits  of  the  slain  are  to  be  satisfied  in  either  of  two 
ways  :  the  first  is,  by  the  spilling  the  blood  of  the  nation  by 
winch  they  fell ;  the  other,  by  covering  the  bodies  of  the  dead, 


MICHILIIVIACKINAC. 


119 


m 


and  thus  allaying  llie  resuiitment  of  their  rchUious.     Tliis  is 
done  by  nuikintr  presents. 

"  Eiiglislnnen,  your  king  has  never  sent  us  any  presents, 
nor  entered  into  any  treaty  with  vis ;  wlierclbre  lie  and  wo 
are  still  at  war ;  and  until  he  does  these  things,  we  must  con- 
sider that  we  have  no  other  fjilher  or  hiend  among  the  white 
men  than  the  king  of  France.  13ut  for  you,  we  have  taken 
into  consideration  that  you  have  ventured  among  us  in  the 
expectation  that  we  should  not  molest  you.  You  do  not 
come  armed,  witli  an  intention  to  make  w(u-.  You  come  in 
peace  to  trade  with  us,  and  supi)ly  us  with  necessaries  of  whieli 
we  p.rc  in  much  want.  We  shall  regard  you,  therefore,  as  a 
brother  ;  and  you  may  sleep  trani[uilly,  without  fear  of  the 
(vhippcwas.  Asa  token  of  our  friendship,  we  present  you 
with  this  j)ipc  to  smoke."* 

Henry  was  afterwards  visited  by  a  party  of  two  hundred 
Ottawa  warriors,  from  L'Arbre  Crocke,  about  seventy  miles 
west  of  Miciiilimackinac,  at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Michigan, 
wliich  was  then  the  seat  of  the  Jesuit  mission  of  St.  Ignace 
de  Michilimackinac.  One  of  their  chiefs  addressed  him  in 
these  words,  which  exhibit  the  feelings  of  this  tribe  toward 
the  French  and  English. 

This  speech  was  addressed  to  Henry  and  two  other  mer- 
chants, in  the  council-room  of  the  commandant's  house  at 
Michilimackinac,  just  as  the  trader  was  about  to  leave  that 
place  with  his  goods  : — 

"  Englishmen,  We,  the  Ottawas,  were  some  time  since  in- 
form(!d  of  your  arrival  in  this  country,  and  of  your  having 
brought  with  you  the  goods  of  which  we  have  much  need.  A^t 
this  news  we  were  greatly  pleased,  believing  that,  through  your 
assistance,  our  wives  and  children  would  be  enabled  to  pass 
another  winter  ;  but  what  was  our  surprise  when,  a  iaw  days 
ago,  we  were  again  informed  that  the  goods  which,  as  we  had 
expected,  were  intended  for  us,  were  on  the  eve  of  departure 
for  distant  countries,  of  which  some  are  inhabited  by  our  ene- 
mies.    These  accounts  being  spread,  our  wives  and  children 

♦  Henry,  p.  43. 


#. 


I;  f  ^ 


120 


lUsiTOKV    OK    MIcnUiAN. 


:i:  if 


I  '*'! 


■  ,.    1 

1    i 

I  \  I  i 

\  i  i 

''■ 

('III 

I 


cnme  to  us,  crying,  and  desiring  that  we  should  go  to  the 
fort,  to  learn  with  our  cars  their  truth  or  falsoliood.  We  ac- 
cordingly embarked  almost  naked  as  you  see,  and  on  our  ar- 
rival here,  we  have  inquired  uito  the  accounts,  and  found 
them  true.  We  see  your  canoes  ready  to  de{)art,  and  find 
your  men  engaged  for  the  Mississippi  and  other  distant  re- 


gions. 


Under  these  eifcumstanecs  We  have  considered  the  affair, 
and  you  are  now  sent  for  ;  that  you  may  hear  our  determina- 
tion, which  is,  that  you  shall  give  to  each  of  our  men,  young 
and  old,  merchandize  and  ammunition  to  the  amount  of  fifty 
beaver  skins  on  credit ;  and  for  which  I  have  no  doubt  of 
their  paying  you  in  the  summer,  on  their  return  from  their 
wintering."* 

Previous  to  the  time  of  the  attack  upon  Michilimackinac, 
the  Indians  were  noticed  assembling  from  the  siirrounding 
forests  in  great  numbers,  with  every  appearance  of  friendship, 
ostensibly  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  of  their  peltries  ;  and 
during  one  night,  four  hundred  lay  around  the  fott.  On 
the  2d  day  of  June,  Powatan,  a  Chippewa  chief,  who  had 
manifested  a  strong  attachment  to  Henry,  came  to  his  house, 
and  told  him  he  was  sorry  the  trader  had  returned  from  the 
Sault ;  that  he  was  desirous  himself  to  leave  Michilimackinac, 
and  requested  Henry  to  return  with  Iiim  on  the  following 
morning.  The  Chippewa  chief  also  inquired  of  him  wheth- 
er the  commandant,  Major  Etherington,  had  heard  bad  news  ; 
and  stated  that  he  himself  had  been  disturbed  by  "  the  noise  of 
evil  birds  ;"  and  also  informed  the  Ehiglish  trader  that  there 
were  matiy  Indians  near  the  fort,  who  had  not  shown  them- 
selves inside.  These  requests  and  hints  were  urged  again  ou 
the  following  day.  Major  Etherington  was  informed  by 
Henry  of  his  suspicions,  but  no  notice  was  taken  of  his  re- 
marks, as  they  were  supposed  to  be  the  mere  designs  of  the 
Indians,  to  produce  fear. 

The  next  day  was  the  king's  bitth-day,  and  the  morning 
was  sultry.     In  order  to  celebrate  this  event,  a  game  was  pro- 

»  llcniy,  p.  48. 


MICHILIMACKINAC    DESTHOYED. 


121 


by 


posed  to  be  played  between  the  Chippewns  and  Sacs  for  a 
high  wager.  This  game  was  called  baggatiwaij,  and  it  was 
played  with  a  l)at  and  l)all.  The  bat  is  about  four  feet  lotio-, 
carved,  and  it  is  terminated  in  a  racket.  Two  posts  are 
planted  in  the  ground  about  a  milo  ajiart,  and  each  party 
having  its  post,  the  game  consists  in  propelling  the  ball 
which  is  placed  in  the  centre,  toward  the  post  of  the  adversary 
in  the  game. 

On  the  day  previous,  the  Indians  had  been  noticed  repairing 
in  great  numbers  to  the  fort  at  Michilimackinac  to  purchase 
tomahawks ;  and  they  frequently  desired  to  see  silver  arm- 
bands, and  otherbarbaric  ornaments,  which  Henry  had  for  s.ile. 
These  ornaments  were  not,  however,  purchased  ;  but  .-ider  in- 
specting them,  the  Indians  told  him  they  would  call  the 
next  day.  The  manifest  design  of  these  visits  was  that  they 
might  discover  the  place  of  their  deposit,  so  that  tliey  might 
know  the  point  for  pillage. 

The  design  of  the  Indians  was  to  throw  the  ball  over  the 
pickets,  and  it  was  natural,  in  the  heat  of  the  game,  that  all 
the  Indians  should  rush  after  it.     This  stratagem  was  success- 
ful.    Major  Etherington,  the  commandant,  was  present  at  the 
game,  and  laid  a  wager  on  the  side  of  the  Chippewas,  while 
ail  the  garrison,  who  could  be  induced,  were  by  some  pretext 
drawn  outside  of  the  picket  for  the  purpose  of  weakening  the 
defences  of  the  fort.     In  the  midst  of  the  game  there  was  an 
Indian  war-yell,  and  the  crowd  of  Indians  who  had  rushed 
after  the  ball  within  the  pickets,  were  seen  furiously  cuttino- 
down  and  scalping  the  English  within  the  fort ;  while  many 
of  the   English  were  struggling  between  the  knees  of  the 
Indians,  who  scalped  them  while  alive.      The  Canadians 
around  the  fort  did  not  oppose  the  Indians,  or  suffer  any  in- 
jury.    Henry  the  trader  had  seen  from  his  window  the  butch- 
ery of  the  garrison,  and  finding  that  his  unaided  arm  was  in- 
sufficient to  cope  with  the  savages,  who  had  by  that  time  ac- 
quired the  mastery,  soon  crawled  over  a  low  fence  which  di- 
vided his  own  house  from  that  of  M.  I-anglade,  and  enierino-, 
requested  some  aid  by  which  he  could  be  preserved  from  the 
general  massacre.     M.  Langlade,  a  Canadian,  who  had  been 

16 


l\i 


m\ 


f 


m 


m 


122 


llIdTOKY    OP   MICHIGAN. 


i  i 


■ 


loolunr    Jt  at  his  own  window,  turned  for  a  moment  to  the 
trader,  »nd  shrugging  his  shoulders,  rephcd  in  French  that 
he  could  do  nothing  lor  him.     '•  Q.uo  voudriez-vous,  que  j'en 
ferais  ?"  said  this  wliite  savoge.     At  that  moment,  a  slave  be- 
lono-ing  to  Langlade,  of  the  Pawnee  tribe  of  Indians,  carried 
him  to  a  door,  which  she  opened,  and  informed  him  that  it  led 
to  the  garret,  where  he  was  desired  to  conceal  himself.     She 
then  locked  the  door  with  great  presence  of  mind,  and  took 
away  the  key.     Through  an  aperture  in  the  wall   Henry 
could  command  a  complete  view  of  the  fort.     He  beheld  the 
barbarian  triumphs  of  the  savages  in  their  foulest  and  blackest 
form.  Heaps  of  dead  lay  around  the  fort,  scalped  and  mangled. 
The  dying  were  shrieking  and  writhing  under  the  tomahawk 
and  scalping-knife,  the  bodies  of  the  English  soldiers  were 
gashed,  and  their  blood  was  drank  by  the  savages  from  the 
hollows  of  joined  hands,  amid  demon-like  yells.     Henry  re- 
mained in  terrible  suspense  for  some  time,  until  he  heard  tho 
cry,  "  All  is  finished,"  and  at  the  same  time  some  of  tho  In- 
dians entered  the  house  where  he  was  concealed,  and  inquir- 
ed of  Langlade   whether  there  were  any  Englishmen  in  the 
house.     M.  Langlade  replied  that  he  could  not  say,  that  he  did 
not  know  of  any,  they  might  examine  for  themselves.     The 
Pawnee  slave  had  secreted  Henry  by  stealth,  and  did  not 
communicate  the  fact  to  any  body.     The  Indians,  however^ 
were  brought  to  the  garret  door.     The  key  was  soon  produc- 
ed, and  the  Indians,  besmeared  with  blood  and  armed  with 
tomahawks,  ascended  the  stairs  just  as  Henry  had  crept  into  a 
heap  of  birch-bark  vessels,  which  were  used  in  making  maple 
suo-ar,  and  which  lay  in  the  further  end  of  the  garret.     After 
making  two  or  three  turno  around  the  room,  they  departed 
without  discovering  him.  The  dark  color  of  his  clothes, and  the 
absence  of  light  in  the  room  probably  prevented  his  discovery. 
There  was  at  that  time  a  mat  in  the  room,  and  Henry  fell 
asleep  ;  and  he  was  finally  awakened  by  the  wife  of  M.  Lang- 
lade, who  had  gone  up  to  stop  a  hole  in  the  roof.      She  was 
surprised  to  see  him  there,  remarked  that  tlie  Indians  had  killed 
most  of  the  English,  but  that  he  might  hope  to  escape.     Hen- 
ry lay  there  during  the  night.     All  chance  of  flight  seemed  to 


MICIIILIMACKirAC    DESTflOYED.  123 

Ixj  lost.     He  was  without  provisions,  surrounded  by  savage 
enemies,  and  was  four  hundred  miles  from  Detroit 

At  len-th  the  wife  of  Langlade  determined  to  "point  out 
Henry's  place  of  concealment,  and  showed  the  Indians  the 
garret.     Tier  design,  she  stated,  was  to  prevent  the  destruction 
of  her  own  children,  whi-h  would  take  place  if  an  English- 
man, was  discovered  concealed  in  her  ho,u,e.     Unlockiiro-  the 
door,  she  was  followed  by  several  Indians,  naked  down  to 
their  wa,.st,  and  intoxicated,  who  were  led  by  Wenniway, 
a  chief     J  his  warrior  was  more  than  six  feet  in  height,  arid 
Ins  face  and  body  were  covered  with  charcoal  and  -rease 
with  the  exception  of  a  ring  of  two  inches  in  diameter,  which 
eric.rcled  each  eye.     At  their  entrance  Henry  roused  him- 
self from  the  bed  which  was  in  the  garret,  and  Wenniway,  a 
chief,   advancing  with  lips  compressed,  seized  him  by  the 
coat  with  one  hand,  and  with  the  other  held  a  large  carvincr- 
Kmfe,asiftoflungeitintohis  breast,  while  his  eyes  were 
steadfastly  fixed  on  his.  Gazing  for  a  moment,  he  dropped  his 
arm,  and  said,  "  I  won't  kill  you."     He  had  been  engaged  in 
many  wars  with  the  English,  and  had  lost  a  brother^  whose 
name  was  Musinigon.     "  You  shall  be  called  after  him,"  said 
the  savage.     Henry  was  afterwards  stripped  of  his  clothes 
He  was  subsequently  carried  to  L'Arbrc  Croche  as  a  prisoner' 
where  he  was  rescued  by  a  band  of  three  hundred  Ottawas' 
by  whom,  however,  he  was  soon  returned,  and  finally  ransom- 
ed by  Wawatam.     Several  of  the  '„ ..-.'.ies  of  the  English  who 
had  been  slain  at  Michilimackinac,  were  boiled  and  eaten  ;  and 
Henry,  when  a  prisoner,  was  given  bread   by  the  Indians 
cut  with  the  knife  which  had  scalped  his  countrymen.     At 
thecapfnreofr.Tiohilimackinac  only  one  trader,  M.  Tracv 
bst  his  life.     Seventy  of  the  English  troops  were  killed,  and 
the  rest,  together  with  the  prisoners  at  St.  Joseph  and  Green 
Bay  were  kept  in  safety  by  the  Ottawas  until  peace,  and  then 
Ireely  restored  or  ransomed  at  Montreal.     The  massacre  of 
the  garrison,  and  the  destruction  of  the  fort  by  burnincr  com- 
pleted this  project,  which  exhibits  the  strongest  lines  "of  tra- 
gedy.    A  number  of  canoes,  filled  with  English  traders,  also 
arrived  about  the  same  time  ;  and  these  M'ere  dragged  through 


'A. 
I 
Hit 


f] 


124 


HISTORY    OP    MICIIIGApr. 


'm 


It   f 


flu;  water,  bcatoii,  nnd  inarched  by  the  Indians  to  the  prison 
lodiTo.  The  massacre  took  place  on  the  '3d  of  June;  and  the 
sa\acr.'s,  who  wore  about  four  hundred  in  number,  enter- 
taiuiiig  apprehensions  of  the  Enghsh  and  the  other  Indians 
wfio  had  not  joined  tliom,  soon  retired  to  the  island  of 
Mackinaw.  There  Henry  was  concealed  by  Wawatam  from 
the  intoxication  of  the  savages  in  the  "  salt  rock,"  where  ho 
lay  for  one  night  on  a  heap  of  human  bones.  The  post  of 
Michilimackiiiac  having  been  destroyed,  the  savages  seemed 
to  have  glutted  their  revenge ;  while  some  repaired  to  the  post 
nt  Detroit,  to  aid  Pontiac  in  that  siege.* 

The  operations  of  Pontiac  in  this  quarter  soon  called  for 
efficient  aid  on  the  part  of  the  English  Government ;  and  dur- 
ing the  season.  Gen.  Bradstrcet  arrived  to  the  relief  of  the 
posts  on  the  lakes  with  an  army  of  three  thousand  men. 
Having  burned  the  Indian  corn-fields  and  villages  at  Sandus- 
ky and  along  the  rich  bottoms  of  the  Maumee,  and  dispersed 
the  Indians  whom  he  there  found,  lie  reached  Detroit  with- 
out opposition.  The  tribes  of  Pontiac,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Delawares  and  Shawanese,  finding  that  they  could  not 
successfiilly  compete  with  such  a  force,  laid  down  their  arms 
nnd  concluded  a  treaty  of  peace.  Pontiac,t  however,  took  no 
part  in  the  negotiation,  and  retired  to  the  Illinois,  where  he  was 
assassinated,  about  the  year  1767,  by  an  Indian  of  the  Peoria 
tribe.  The  Ottawas,  the  Potawatamies,  and  the  Chippewas, 
made  common  cause  in  revenging  his  death,  by  waging  war 
and  nearly  ext(.'rminating  the  tribes  of  the  murderer.     That 

•  I  have  had  the  inspection  of  a  French  manuscript,  "Journal  of  the  Pontiac 
War,"  wrillen  during  its  occurrence.  The  record  is,  however,  discolored  by  time, 
garbled,  and  unsatisfactory  ;  amplifying  on  unimportant  detuils,  and  exhibiting 
no  connected  chain  of  prominent  facts.  I  am  also  indebted  in  this  place  to  the 
MSS.  of  John  R.  Williams  ;  also  to  Henry's  account. 

t  A  botiic  of  brandy  was  at  one  time  sent  to  Pontiac  by  Col.  Rogers  ;  and 
his  warriors  cnutioncd  him  not  to  taste  it,  lest  it  might  be  poisoned.  Pontiac,  how- 
ver,  rejected  their  advice.  "  He  cannot  take  my  life,"  said  the  Ottawa  chief,  "  I  have 
saved  hi?."  In  commenting  on  this  anecdote,  the  Abbe  Raynal  remarks  :— "  A 
hundred  traits  of  equal  cluvation  have  fixed  upon  Pontiac  the  gaze  of  the  savage 
nations.  He  wished  to  rc-unilc  all  his  tribes  for  the  purpose  of  making  their 
territory  and  independence  respected,  but  unfortunate  circumstances  prevented 
the  project."    Rmjnal,  Hist.  Phil.  Pel). 


INDIANS    DISPERSED. 


125 


terrific  draniu,  got  up  by  this  son  of  the  forest,  stamps  his 
name  with  greatness.  The  hving  marble  and  the  glowing 
canvass  may  not  embody  his  works  ;  but  they  are  identified 
with  the  soil  of  the  western  forest,  and  will  live  as  long  as  the 
remembranco  of  its  aboriginal  inhabitants,  the  Algonquin 
race.* 

•  It  ia  stated  oftho  treatment  by  the  Indians  of  Captain  Campboll,  that  "  ihey 
boiled  his  heoftand  ate  it,  and  made  a  pouch  of  the  skin  of  his  arms."  The 
terms  of  submission  proposed  by  Pontiac  to  Campbell,  afier  he  wos  secured  as  a 
prisoner,  were,  that  the  British  should  lay  down  their  arms,  as  their  fathers  the 
French,  had  before  beun  obliged  to  do  ;  leave  their  cannon,  magazines,  and  mer- 
chants'  goods,  and  bo  escorted  in  batteaux  to  Niagara.  He  was  answered  by 
that  officer,  that  he  had  not  been  sent  there  to  deliver  up  the  fort  to  Indians  or 
any  body  else,  and  llmt  he  would  therefore  defend  it  so  long  as  a  single  man 
could  stand  by  his  side.  The  siege  was  thereupon  recommenced,  and  it  was 
conducted  with  such  perseverance,  that  for  months  the  whole  garrison,  officers, 
soldiers,  merchants,  and  servants,  were  upon  the  ramparts  every  night,  not  one 
having  slept  in  a  house,  except  the  sick  and  wounded  in  the  hospital.— Z>e<roit 
Diary. 


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''  >  iii 


126 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


r 

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I 


''  i  !  ' 

■  1  h 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Condition  of  Michiaan  after  the  Pontiac  war — The  Hudson's  Bay  Company — 
The  Nortii-west  Company — The  American  Fur  Company — Adminiatratiou 
of  the  law  by  the  English — Silver  found  in  Lake  Huron — Project  for  working 
the  Copper  Mines  of  Lake  Superior — Condition  during  the  American  Revo- 
lution— Byrd's  Expedition — Governor  Hamilton's  Expedition — Indian  relationa 
— Netawatwoes — Captaui  Pipe — While  Eyes — German  Missionaries  carried 
to  Detroit — Indian  Council — Speech  of  Captain  Pipe — Missionaries  acquitted. 

After  the  Pontiac  war,  a  system  of  conciliation  was  exer- 
cised by  the  EngUsh  toward  the  Indians  as  well  as  toward 
the  French  citizens.  The  energies  of  the  few  scattered  inha- 
bitants continued  to  be  devoted  to  tlie  fur  trade  ratlier  than 
to  the  pursuit  of  agricuUurc.  Grants  were  made  by  the  En- 
gUsh commandants  of  the  forts  on  the  lakes,  and  along  the 
principal  streams  in  Michigan ;  which,  however,  were  unau- 
thorized by  the  British  Government.  Similar  grants  were 
also  executed  by  the  Indians.  After  the  post  of  Michilimack- 
inac  was  destroyed,  the  English  made  a  permanent  settlement 
on  the  island  of  Mackmaw.  On  the  accession  of  the  English, 
little  attention  was  paid  to  the  old  French  laws ;  and  upon  the 
treaty  of  17G3,  new  courts  of  civil  and  criminal  jiu'isdiction 
were  established,  in  which  the  laws  of  England  were  intro- 
duced. This  treaty,  made  at  Paris,  surrendered  the  dominion 
of  Michigan  from  France  to  England,  the  "  Family  Compact" 
which  had  been  made  between  Franco  and  Spain,  to  sustain 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  country,  having  fallen  to  the  ground. 
In  1750  the  French  settlements  extended  along  the  banks  of 
the  Detroit  River  for  twenty  miles  above  and  below  the  town 
of  Detroit.*  The  country,  then  productive,  was  used  in  the 
cultivation  of  oats,  buck-wheat,  peas,  wheat,  and  Indian  corn  ; 
and  was  also  remarkable  for  fine  pasturage.  The  town  of 
Detroit  had  about  one  hundred  houses,  a  range  of  barracks, 
and  a  spacious  parade  at  the  south  end.    A  tract  of  land,  call- 

*  Sec  a  pamphlet  published  in  London  in  177S,  by  Thos.  Ilufchins,  captain  in 
the  160th  regiment  of  foot. 


I 
I 


I 
i    2 

"5 


KNOLISn    AND    AMERICAN    FUH   TRADE.  127 

ed  "  the  King's  Garden,"  on  the  west  side  was  handsomely 
laid  out  and  adorned.  The  main  defence  of  the  town  was  a 
fence  of  pickets  settled  firmly  in  the  ground,  and  lined  with 
palisades  protected  with  bastions,  which  were  mounted  with 
small  cannon,  just  sufficient  to  cope  with  the  Indians,  or  an 
enemy  not  provided  with  artillery.  The  garrison  consisted 
of  about  two  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  a  field  of- 
ficer, subject  to  the  cognizance  of  the  English  Governor-o-e- 
neral  of  Canada.*  '^ 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  which  was  chartered  about 
the  year  1696  by  the  English  crown,  and  had  exercised  a 
broad  and  despotic  dominion  over  the  wilderness  of  the  north, 
now  stretched  its  operations  toward  the  lakes,  upon  the  do- 
main which  had  before  been  occupied  for  that  object  by  the 
French.     The  great  value  of  the  furs  which  then  abounded 
m  that  region,  was  the  object  which  was  sought.     It  was, 
however,  only  in  the  year  1766  that  the  trade  was  carried  on 
to  any  great  extent  by  the  English  upon  the  shores  of  Michi- 
gan, although  private  adventurers  had  pushed  tlieir  enter- 
prises to  the  remotest  coast  of  Lake  Superior.     The  Eno-lish 
company,  jealous  of  these  individual  expeditions,  as  they  had 
been  of  those  under  the  French  government,  now  enlarged 
the  circle  of  their  operations  ;  and  in  1774  came  into  frequent 
and  severe  collisions  with  individual  traders  whom  they  met 
in  their  wanderings.     The  consequences  were  injurious  to  the 
trade,  as  the  time  and  energies  which  might  have  been  em- 
ployed in  securing  advantages  to  themselves,  were  devoted  to 
petty  quarrels,  and  the  forest   became  a  scene  of  brawls, 
and  a  battle-ground  of  the  contending  parties.     The  war  was 
organized  into  a  system.     The  traders  of  the  Hudson's  Ray 
Company  followed  the  Canadians  to  their  difl^erent  posts,  and 
used  every  method  to  undermine  their  power.t 

During  the  winter  of  1783,  the  merchants  who  had  been 
before  engaged  in  the  fur  trade,  formed  a  partnership,  and  es- 
tablished the  North-west  Company.  No  capital  was  at  that 
time  paid  hi,  but  the  stock  was  divided  into  sixteen  shares,  and 

♦  Sec  Henry  and  Carver. 

t  Consult  Mackcnzio's  Account  of  the  Fur  Trade. 


All 


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11     :i; 


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4) 


imp' 


128 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


each  partner  engaged  to  pay  his  quota  in  goods  requisite  to 
carry  on  the  trade.  The  company  then  commenced  opera- 
tions. In  1787,  a  certain  proportion  of  the  shares  was  held  by 
the  agents  of  the  company,  whose  duty  it  was  made  to  import 
from  England  the  goods  destined  for  the  fur  trade,  to  store 
them  at  Montreal,  to  cause  them  to  be  made  into  articles  suit- 
ed to  the  trade,  to  pack  and  forward  them,  and  to  supply  the 
money  required  for  the  outfits.  Two  of  these  agents  went 
annually  to  Detroit,  Mackinaw,  St.  Marie,  the  Grand  Portage, 
and  Montreal ;  where  they  received  the  peltries  which  had 
been  collected  from  the  interior,  packed  and  shipped  them  for 
England.  The  company  for  a  time  made  vast  profits.  In 
1798  it  had  imdergone  some  modification,  and  the  sharL^ 
were  increased  to  forty-six.  The  following  table  exhibits  the 
product  of  the  trade  for  one  year  previous  to  1774  : — 


06,000  Beaver  skins, 

600  Wolverine  skins, 

2,100  Bear  skins, 

1,650  Fisher  skins. 

1,500  Fox  skins, 

100  Raccoon  skins. 

4,000  Kitt  Fox  skins, 

3,800  Wolfskins, 

4,600  Otter  skins. 

700  Elk  skins. 

16,000  Musksquash  skuis, 

750  Deerskins, 

32,000  Martin  skins, 

1,200  Deer  skins,  dressed. 

1,800  Mink  skins. 

500  Buffalo  robes,   and  a 

6,000  Lynx  skins. 

quantity  of  castorum. 

The  mode  of  proceeding  in  the  fur  trade,  during  the  year  1794, 
was  modelled  somewhat  after  the  French  plan.  Eighteen 
months  before  they  could  leave  Montreal,  and  in  the  month 
of  October,  the  agents  ordered  the  goods  to  be  used  in  the  fur 
trade  from  England.  In  the  following  spring  they  were  ship- 
ped from  London,  and  in  the  succeeding  summer  they  arrived 
in  Canada.  During  the  winter  following  they  were  made  up 
into  such  articles  as  were  required  by  the  savages,  and  are 
then  packed  in  parcels,  each  weighing  ninety  pounds.  These 
were  sent  to  Montreal  about  the  1st  of  May.  In  the  ensuing 
winter  they  were  exchanged  for  furs,  which  arrived  at  Mon- 
treal during  the  next  fall,  and  were  then  shipped  to  London. 
In  the  following  spring  they  were  sold,  and  paid  for  as  late 


lii 


ENGLISH    AXD    AxMKRIC/VN    FUR    TRADE. 


129 


if 


as  June.*    The  payments  were  thus  made  forty-two  months 
after  the  goods  were  ordered  in  Canada,  and  twenty-four  after 
they  had  been  forwarded  from  Montreal.      The  articles  im- 
ported for  the  English  fur  trade  were  those  which  were  in 
demand  by  the  Lidians.     They  consisted  chiefly  of  coarse 
woollen  cloth  of  various  kinds,  blankets  of  various  sorts  and 
sizes,  arms,  ammunition,  tobacco,  Manchester  goods,  linens  and 
coarse  sheetings  ;  threads,   lines,  and  twine  ;  common  hard- 
ware ;  cutlery,  brass,  and  copper-kettles  ;  sheet-iron  ;  silk  and 
cotton  handkerchiefs,  hats,  shoes,  hose,  calicoes,  printed  cot- 
tons ;  and  also  all  goods  which  were  demanded  in  the  market 
of  Montreal.     The  machinery  of  the  fur  trade  was  complex, 
and  to  conduct  it  required  a  considerable  amount  of  capital', 
and  many  employees.     They  were  comprised  of  clerks,  inter- 
preters, guides,  canoe-mcn,  who  consisted  of  foremen,  middle- 
men, and  steersmen.t     The  canoes,  generally  ot  a  large  size, 
containing  eight  or  ten  men  each  and  about  sixty-five  pack- 
ages of  goods,  were  despatched  for  the  expedition  about  the 
month  of  May.     There  were  also  necessarily  extensive  estab- 
lishments connected  with  the  trade,  such  as  store-houses,  trad- 
ing houses,  and  places  of  accommodation  for  the  agents  and 
partners  of  the  larger  companies.     The  mode  of  livinir  at  the 
Grand  Portage  on  Lake  Superior  in  1794  was  the  foUowino-  •_ 
The  proprietors  ofthe  establishment,  the  guides,  clerksfand 
interpreters,  messed  together  ;  somethne.s  lo  the  number  of  one 
hundred,  in  a  large  hall.     Bread,  salt-pork,  beef,  butter,  veni- 
son, and  fish,  Indian  corn,  potatoes,  tea,  and  wine,  were  their 
provisions.  Several  cows  were  kept  around  the  establishments 
which  supplied  them  with  milk.     The  corn  was  prepared  at 
Detroit  by  being  boiled  in  a  strong  alkali,  and  was  called  "  ho- 
mmee."      The  mechanics  had  rations  of  this  sort  of  provi- 
sion, while  the  canoe-meu  had  no  allowance  but  melted  fat  and 
Indian  corn. 

The  Hudson  Bay  and  the  North-west  Company,  formed  in 
1737,  soon  came  into  active  and  desperate  collision.  The 
struggle  was  founded  on  mercantile  rivalry,  and  disputes  re- 


Mpxkcnzie. 


f  Ibid. 


i  I 


;>.3 


^  I 


17 


I  :   ii. 


'-.mfa 


|! 


130 


IlISTOUV    OF    MICHIGAN. 


i 
I 

i 


gnrdino:  the  lines  of  di-uiarkalion  bountlt^d  by  their  charters. 
Lord  Selkirk  placed  himselt  at  the  head  ol"  tlio  lludsoii's 
Bay  Company,  for  the  jjiirpose  of  c.stahlisliin;^  what  ho  con- 
ceived to  he  tlieir  riiihts  ;  and  fnially  succeeded  in  anialgaiuat- 
ing  tiie  stock,  and  (piietinfif  the  claims  of  his  rivals.  The  con- 
test was  \vao;ed  by  the  North-west  Comj)any  after  they  had 
transferred  all  their  riohts  and  posts  south  and  west  of  the 
lines  of  debarkation  to  the  American  V'nr  Company,  organiz- 
ed by  the  mercantile  veteran,  John  .lacob  Astor.  This  last- 
named  company  iias  continued  its  trade  up  to  this  period,  hold- 
ing important  establishments  on  the  north-western  lakes.* 

The  dress  of  the  traders,  most  ol'  whom  had  been  employed 
under  the  Frencli  government,  consisted  of  a  blanket  coat,  a 
shirt  of  striped  cotton,  trowsers  of  cloth,  or  lealiier  leggins 
similar  to  those  of  the  Indians,  ntoccasins  wrougiit  from  deer- 
skins, a  red  or  parti-colored  btlt  of  worsted,  whicli  contained 
suspended  a  knife  and  tobacco-pouch,  and  a  blue  woollen  cap 
or  iiat,  in  the  midst  of  which  wf\s  stuck  a  red  feather.  Light- 
hearted,  cheerlul  and  courteous,  they  were  over  ready  to  en- 
camp at  night  among  the  savages,  or  in  their  own  wigwams 
to  join  in  the  dance,  or  to  awaken  the  solitude  of  the  wilder- 
ness with  their  boat-songs  as  tliey  swept  with  vigorous  arm 
across  the  bosom  of  the  waters. 

Even  as  late  as  ISIO  the  island  of  Mackinaw,  the  most  ro- 
mantic point  on  the  lakes,  which  lises  from  tlie  watery  realm 
like  an  altar  of  a.  river  god,  was  the  central  mart  of  the  traf- 
fic, as  old  Michilimackinac  had  been  for  a  century  before.  At 
certain  seasons  of  the  year  it  was  made  a  rendezvous  for  the 
ninnerous  classes  connected  with  this  trailic.  At  those  sea- 
sons, the  transparent  waters  around  this  beautiful  island  were 
studded  with  the  canoes  of  the  Indians  and  traders.  Here 
might  then  be  found  tlie  merry  Canadian  voyageur,  with  his 
muscular  figure  strengthened  by  the  hardships  of  the  wilder- 
ness, bartering  for  trinkets  at  the  various  booths  scattered  along 
its  banks.  The  Indian  warrior,  bedecked  with  the  most  fan- 
tastic ornaments,  embroider   .  moccasins,  mid  silver  armlets  ; 


*  Sec  Waahington  Irving's  Astorin. 


ENGILSH    AND   AMERICAN    PUR   TRADE. 


131 


tho  nortli-wcsters  armed  with  dirks— the  iron  men  who  had 
grappled  with  tlie  grizly  befir,  and  endured  the  hard  fare  ot 
tho  north  ;  and  tlie  soutli-westcr  also  put  in  his  claims  to  de- 
ference.* 

Fort  William,  near  the  Grand  Portage  on  Lake  Superior, 
was  also  one  of  the  principal  posts  of  the  North-west  Compa- 
ny.    It  was  the  place  of  junction  when  the  leading  partners 
from  Montreal  met  the  more  active  agents  of  the  wilderness 
to  discuss  the  interests  of  the  traffic.     The  grand  conference 
was  attended  with  a  demi-savage  and  baronial  pomp.     The 
partners  from  Montreal,  clad  in  the  richest  furs,  ascended  an- 
nually to  that  point  in  huge  canoes,  manned  by  Canadian 
voyageurs,  and  provided  with  all  the  means  of  the  most  lux- 
urious  revelry.      Tho  council-house  was  a  large  wooden 
building,  adorned  with  the  trophies  of  the  chase,  barbaric  or- 
naments, and  decorated  implements  used  by  the  savages  in 
war  and  peace.     At  such  periods  the  post  would  be  crowded 
with  traders  from  the  depths  of  the  wilderness  and  from  Mon- 
treal ;  partners  of  the  company,  clerks,   interpreters,  guides, 
and  a  numerous  host  of  dependents.     Discussions  of  grave 
import  regarding  the  interest  of  the  traffic,  made  up  the  argu- 
ments of  such  occasions  ;  and  the  banquet  was  occasionally  in- 
terspersed with  loyal  songs  from  the  Scotch  Highlander  or 
the  aristocratic  IJriton,  proud  of  his  country  and  his  kino-. 
Such  were  the  general  features  of  a  traffic  which  constituted 
for  a  century,  under  the  French  and  Fnglish  governments, 
the  commerce  of  the  north-W(\stfirn  lakes.      It  was  a  trade 
abounding  in  tho  severest  hardships  and  the  most  hazardous 
enterprises.     This  was  the  most  glorious  epoch  of  mercantile 
ent(Mj)rise  in  the  forests  of  the  north-west,  when  its  hal (-sa- 
vage dominion  stretched  upon  the  lakes  for  an  hundred  years 
over  regions  large  enough  for  empires ;  making  barbarism 
contribute  to  civilization.! 


Ill 
I  1 


♦  Consult  Irving's  Astoriii, 

t  The  American  Fur  Company,  now  in  existence,  and  extending  its  opera- 
tio!;s  from  lUv  slioros  of  tlio  lakes  to  those  of  the  Paci  ic,  modelled  in  its  opera- 
tioiis  somewhat  after  tlio  old  Frcncliand  English  companies,  has  its  trading  es- 
tablishments scattered  throush  the  forests.    They  have  connected  with  them  the 


I 


132 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


X     K    i     '         !, 


F 


The  ndministrniion  of  the  law  under  the  EngUsh  domina- 
tion, aUliough  more  systematic  than  that  under  ihe  French, 
was  yet  crude  and  undigested.     The  powers  of  the  governors' 
jurisdiction  who  were  the  commandants  of  the  forts,  and  the 
rights  of  the  governed,  were  not  clearly  defined.    There  were 
no  regularly  organized  courts,  and  no  separate  jurisdictions 
marked  out.  How  could  such  courts  be  organized,  when  only  a 
sparse  and  migratory  population  were  scattered  upon  the  fron- 
tier? The  commandant  of  the  posts  was  the  executive  officer  in 
bringing  subjects  of  litigation  before  a  magistrate  of  his  own  ap- 
pointment, and  also  the  organ  through  which  sentence  was  to 
be  executed  upon  the  offender.  The  (Quebec  act  was  passed  in 
1774.     By  this  act  the  boundaries  of  Canada  were  establish- 
ed,  and  they  embraced  Canada  under  its  present  limits,  avast 
region  of  country  on  Lake  Erie,  including  Michigan,  extend- 
ing to  the  Mississippi  and  the  Ohio,  and  north  from  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  the  latitude  of  52^,  to  the  lands  of  Hudson's 
Bay      The  act  ordained  that  all  the  subjects  of  Canada,  who 
professed  the  religion  of  the  church  of  Rome,  might  exercise 
their  religious  faith,  subject  to  the  English  crown  ;  and  tliat 
the  clergy  should  hold  their  franchises  with  respect  only  to 
such  persons  as  professed  the  Catholic  religion  ;  while  it  was 
made  lawful  for  the  crown  to  make  such  provision  as  they 
might  think  proper  out  of  these  fi-anchises,  for  the  support  of 
the  Protestant  religion.*     By  that  act,  the  body  of  the  Cana- 
dians, with  the  exception  of  the  religious  orders,  were  secured 
in  their  property,  with  the  right  of  recourse  to  the  French  laws 
of  Canada  in  all  controverted  matters  ;  but  not  extending  to 
lands  granted  by  the  crown  in  common  soccage  or  fee-simple. 

fishery.  A  larce  amount  of  Mackinaw  trout,  white  fish,  and  other  products  of  the 
lake,  is  packed'in  barrels  and  shipped  abroad.  The  progress  of  emisraliot.  has 
driven  the  fur  trade  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  banks  of  Lake  Huron  and  Lake  Su- 
pcrior.  The  most  important  point  of  the  traffic  is,  however,  on  Lake  Superior. 
The  American  side  of  the  lake  is  occupied  by  the  American  Fur  Company  as 
well  as  individual  traders  ;  and  the  English  side  by  that  of  Hudson's  Bay,  which 
was  amalgamated  with  the  North-west  Company  m  1S21.  The  furs  wereformerly 
shipped  to  England  or  China.  A  large  ataouni  now  find  a  market  m  the  cUios 
of  our  own  country. 
♦  McGregor's  British  America, 


H 


ENGLISH    ADMINISTRATION   OP    THE    LAW. 


133 


The  criminal  laws  of  England  were  introduced.  It  prescrib- 
ed a  council,  with  the  power  to  make  ordinances  with  the 
Governor's  consent,  but  not  to  impose  taxes  except  for 
making  roads.  It  also  reserved  to  the  crown  the  power  of 
establishing  courts  of  civil,  criminal,  and  ecclesiastical  juris- 
diction. This  act  continued  until  the  year  1791,  when 
another  act  was  passed  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Pitt,  which 
was  denominated  the  Constitutional  Act. 

Under  the  auebec  act,  rank  injustice  sprang  up  in  the  posts 
of  Michigan,  from  a  Avant  of  legal  knowledge  and  a  proper 
system  in  the  legal  administration.  One  example  will  exhibit 
the  mode  in  which  this  law  was  administered.  Governor  Ha- 
milton, a  rude  officer,  the  Governorand  commandant  of  Detroit, 
ordered  Philip  Dejean,  a  respectable  emigrant  from  France, 
and  a  magistrate  of  the  colony,  to  try  certain  criminals  for  their 
offences.  M.  Moran,  a  prisoner,  had  before  been  tried  in  the 
same  mode,  and  executed.  When  the  circumstances  of  the  trial, 
which  IS  contained  in  the  subjoined  record-  a  trial  which  was 
conducted  against  the  common  rules  of  law— reached  Quebec, 
it  was  regarded  with  the  utmost  indignation.  Lord  Dorches- 
er  and  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench  conceived  it  to 
be  their  duty  to  cause  warrants  to  be  issued  against  Hamilton 
and  Dejean,  before  whom  the  prisoners  had  been  condemned. 
Governor  Hamilton,  as  well  as  Dejean,  had  left  Detroit  for 
Vincennes  before  the  warrants  arrived  at  Detroit,  and  they 
were  both  taken  prisoners.  The  friends  of  the  parties  endea- 
vored to  make  interest  for  Hamilton  and  Dejean,  but  they  ne- 
ver  returned  to  Canada,  and  never  visited  England.  Hamil- 
ton died  in  the  West  Indies,  where  he  was  appointed  to  some 
station  ;  and  Dejean  afterwards  resided  at  New  London  in 
Connecticut,  where  it  is  stated  that  he  was  appointed  consul 
for  France.  The  record  of  a  criminal  trial  in  1776  throws 
hght  on  the  general  administration  of  the  law  at  that  period.* 
"  Detroit,  ss. 

"  The  jurors  for  our  lord  the  king,  upon  their  oaths  present 
that  Jean  Contencinau,  a  Canadian,  formerly  a   servant  to 

*  This  record  was  found  in  the  possession  of  Judge  May.    He  knew  the 
judge  and  jury  who  tried  the  cause. 


134 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


! -;• 


fl 


Messrs.  Abbot  and  Fincbloy,  tlie  21th  day  of  June,  and  in  the 
fourteentli  year  of  our  sovereign  lord  the  kiug  aforesaid,  at 
Detroit  aforesaid,  eight  pounds  of  beaver  skins,  two  otter  skins, 
and  some  raccoon  skins,  to  the  value  of  four  pounds  sterling, 
of  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the  said  Abbot  and  Finchley, 
subtilly,  privily,  craftily,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
said  Abbot  and  Finchley,  then  and  there  did  steal,  take,  and 
convey  away,  against  the  pence  of  our  lord  the  king,  his 
crown  and  dignity.  And  that  Ann  Wylcy,  formerly  slave  to 
said  Abbot  and  Finchley,  did  steal,  or  was  acccssonj  to  steal- 
ing, a  purse  containing  six  guineas,  the  property  of  James 
Abbot  aforesaid,  which  purso  and  money  were  fonnd  on  the 
person  of  the  said  Ann  Wyley.  The  prisoners  of  the  bar  being 
indicted  for  attempting  to  set  fire  to  the  house  of  the  said  Ab- 
bot and  Finchley,  the  jurors  have  not  found  suflicicnt  proof 
of  the  same,  though  the  circumstances  are  very  much  against 
them. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  at  Detroit, 
March,  1770. 

"  James  Sterling, 

Thomas  Williams, 

D.  Baby, 

B.  Chapoton, 

James  Bannerman, 

Jacques  Campcau, 

The  Judgment. 

"  The  jurors  agreeing,  and  having  brought  in  their  verdict, 
Guilty,  the  prisoners  were  set  to  the  bar,  and  received  sen- 
tence to  be  executed  on  Tuesday  the  26tli  inst.,on  the  king's 
domain." 

On  the  back  of  the  above  record,  the  following  appears  m 
the  hand-writing  of  Philip  Dejean,  the  justice  before  whom  the 
prisoners  were  tried.  It  is  in  the  French  language,  and  the 
following  is  a  literal  translation  : — 

"The  jurors  for  our  sovereign  lord  tlie  king,  report  that 
John  Contencinau,  a  Canadian,  lately  a  domestic  to  Abbot  and 
Finchley,did,on  the  2lth  of  June,  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  the 
reign  of  the  king,  subtilly,  privily,  craftily,  and  secretly  steal, 


this    TSth  aay  of 

Gregor  McGregor, 
Joseph  Gamelin, 
Henry  Bostwick, 
Calapierre, 
Colton  Andrews, 
Beaufort." 


ENULIsa    ADMlNiaTUATION    OP   THE    LAW. 


135 


nsrainst  the  peace  and  dignity  of  onr  sovereign  lord  the  king, 
eiirlK  pounds  orbcavcr,  two  otier,  and  several  raccoon  skins ;  tho 
wliolo  appertaining  to  the  siiid  Abbot  and  Finchicy,  amounting 
to  four  pounds  slerUng.  Ann  Wyley,  formerly  slave  to  the  suid 
Abbot  and  Finchley,  stole,  or  was  «fc«.ve(/ of  having  stolen,  a 
purst!  containing  six  guineas,  belonging  to  the  said  Abbot  and 
Finchley,  which  said  i)urse  was  found  upon  her. 

"  Tiio   prisoners  of  tlir  ii.-ir  were  aeensed  of  havingset  fire 
to  tlie  house  of  the  said  Abbot  and  Finchley  also.  The  jury  did 
not  find  the  proof  sullicient,  although  the  circumstances  were 
very  strong  against  them.  The  jury  having  madethciraforesaid 
report,  it  is  evident  that  the  said  prisoners  arc  guilty  of  a  do- 
mestic theft,  and  for  the  aforesaid  theft  have  receive  1  sentence 
of  death,  pronounced  in  the  following  terms  :— 1'  ,u  shall  be 
hanged— huuffed—hmiffcd,  and  strangled  /  ulil  you    bo 
dead,  on  the  king's  public  domain  {the  common),  the  26th 
inst.,  precisely  at  twelve  o'clock  ;  and  the  Lord  have  mercy 
upon  your  souls." 

"  You  see,  my  dear  brother,  that  it  is  neither  the  jury  nor 
myself  that  has  condemned  you  todeath — it  is  the  law  that  you 
have  violated.     It  is  for  a  domestic  theft  that  you  are  now 
going  to  lose  your  life.     According  to  the  English  laws,  a  do- 
mestic who  steals  a  shilling,  or  tlie  value  thereof,  merits  death  ; 
and  according  to  the  laws  of  France,  a  domestic  who  steals 
five  sous  (about  four  cents)  also  forfeits  his  life.     Now,  I  ask 
you,  my  dear  brother,  where  was  at  that  moment  the  fear  of 
God,  which  you  ought  to  have  laad  before  your  eyes  ?     Can 
you  perceive,  then,  that  it  ./ould  be  just  to  pass  this  crime  with 
impunity,  unpunished  ?    Sooner  or  later  you  would  be  disco- 
vered.    Blame  yourself  for  the  death  t'ou  are  going  to  suffer 
and  say  with  me,  '  Yes,  my  God,  I  aclcnowledge  myself  cul- 
pable ;  and  T  suffer  without  murmur  the  punishment  which  the 
law  pronounces  against  my  crime.     Pardon  me,  my  God  !  and 
deign  to  give  to  me  the  strength  and  courage  that  is  necessa- 
ry for  my  situation.     I  exhort  all  those  that  hear  me,  and 
that  arc  here  present,  particularly  those  who  are  obligated  to 
act  as  servants,  to  take  an  example  with  me,  poor  unfortunate 
man,  who  is  going  to  suffer  so  terrible  a  death.    Keep  always 


c . ' 


»    <5 


ilill 


13G 


HISTORY    01'    MICHIGAN. 


il    i 


,. 


!  *fl' 

1'  ■ 


I! 


«■!!' 


the  foar  ov  God  before  your  eyes,  nor  ever  abandon  him  :  be- 
cause he  says  positively,  those  who  abandon  him  he  will 
abandon  them.  You  will  always  bear  in  mind  the  laws  whicii 
are  cno-raved  on  the  tables  ol  your  hoarts,  and  do  not  follow 
any  bad  example.  If  your  masters  are  wicked  enough  to 
show  them  to  you,  understand  that  God  andtlte  laws  will  not 
excuse  you,  and  say  with  me  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  Ave 
Maria." 

In  conjunction  with  the  fur  trade,  numerous  projects  were 
commenced  to  discover  the  precious  metals  in  the  region  of 
tiie  north-west,  especially  upon  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 
It  was  originally  supposed  that  this  region  abounded  in  va- 
luable mines  ;  and  as  early  as  1772,  Mr.  Norburg,  a  Russian, 
who  accompanied  Henry  the  trader  in  a  part  of  his  expedition, 
found  upon  the  shore  of  Lake  Huron  a  mass  of  silver  imbed- 
ded in  other  ore,  which  produced  the  pure  metal  in  the  pro- 
portion of  sixty  per  cent.  This  mass  was  contained  in  a 
fragment  of  eight  pounds  weight.  The  silver  was  carried  to 
England,  and  deposited  in  the  British  Museum.* 

In  1 773  a  more  important,  project  was  commenced  for  the  pur- 
pose of  workmg  the  copper-mines  of  Lake  Superior.  Fo'  that 
object  a  charter  was  granted  in  England  to  a  company,  the 
partners  of  which  consisted  of  the  Duke  of  Gloaces'er,  Mr. 
Secretary  Townsend,  Sir  Samuel  Tntchet,  Bart.,  Mr.  Baxter, 
Consul  of  the  Empress  of  Russia,  Mr.  Cruirkshank,  Sir  Wil- 
liam Johnson,  Bart.,  !VTr.  Rosfwirk,  and  Alexander  Hemy,  the 
trader.  A  sloop  was  purchased,  and  the  miners  commenced 
operations  and  blasted  thirty  feet  into  the  solid  rock.  It  was 
soon  found,  however,  that  the  exp-:.o3  of  blasting  and  of  ex- 
portation would  not  warrant  the  enterprise  ;  and  the  sloop 
being  sold  and  the  miners  discharged,  it  was  soon  relinquish- 
ed. Scon  after  the  "onquest  of  Canada,  a  company  of  adven- 
turers from  England  hr  \  commenced  excavating  the  copper, 
and  transporting  it ;  but  mat  project  was  also  given  up  on  ac- 
count of  "  the  distracted  affairs  in  America."! 

The  causes  of  the  American  revolution  arc  well  known. 
The  people  of  the  Colonies  had  proclaimed  that  taxation  with- 
♦  ConsultHenry'8  Travels,  and  also  Carver.  +  Henry. 


WAR    OF   THK    RF.VOIATIOX. 


137 


out  rcprescntntion  was  unjust ;  that  their  pi-titions  for  the  re- 
dress of  clear  and  acknowledged  grievances  had  been  rejeotrd  ; 
and  they  threw  themselves  for  redress  upon  their  arms.  But  ilio 
struggle  was  enacted  without  the  bounds  of  Michigan.     The 
people  of  Canada,  within  which  Michignu  was  then  included, 
were  removed  from  tlic  more  immediate  causes  of  war,  and  they 
did  no*,  thercfbre,jointlie  Atlantic  states  inthai  struggle.  They 
were,  on  the  contrary,  united  witli  England  against  the  cause 
of  revolution.     That  monarchical  spirit,  which  had  grown 
strong  under  the  old  French  regime  and  the  British  crown, 
coutmued  lirmly  leagued  with  aristocratic  doctrines  ;  while 
the  iron  men  of  New- York  and  New  England,  and  the  chi- 
valrous  sons  of  the  south,  who  had  fled  from  the  very  shadow 
of  the  l]ritish  monarchy,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  rebellion.     The 
French  Imbitans,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  the  restraints 
of  a  monarchy,  had  colonized  the  cnmtry  for  the  purposes  of 
trade  and  aggrandizement ;  and  the  English  portion  v(  the 
population  had  emigrated  to  the  Canadian  territory  in  the  em- 
ployment of  the  British  crown,  or  to  secure  the  advantages 
which  were  afforded  by  its  trade.      It  is  not  extraordinary, 
therefore,  that  the  Canadians,  English  as  well  as  French,' 
should  have  been  found  opposed  to  the  Atlantic  colonifs  dur- 
ing that  struggle.     Michigan,  although  removed  from  the  seat 
of  war,  was  the  rendezvous  of  liostile  bands  of  Indians,  who 
were  sent  out  against  the  American  wilderness,  and  the  bloody 
mart  where  the  price  of  scalps  was  paid.     War  parties  were 
constantly  going  out  from  Mackinaw  and  Detroit,  and  re- 
turning with  these  scalps,  for  which  they  were  paid  at  the  old 
council-liouse  in  Detroit. 

One  expedition  at  that  time  despatched  from  Detroit,  was 
led  by  Captain  Byrd.  His  force  was  composed  of  a  body  of  En- 
glish troops,  militia  and  a  large  force  of  Indian  warriors.  This 
force  left  Detroit  in  boats  well  manned  and  supplied,  and  they 
ascended  the  Maumee  to  Ohio.  Ttie  design  of  the  expedition 
was  to  attack  Louisville;  but  the  high  water  having  prevented, 
he  crossed  over  to  Kentucky,  and  appeared  suddenly  before 
"  Ruddle's  Station."  Exhibiting  a  force  that  could  not  be  en- 
countered with  success  by  tiiut  garrison,  it  surrendered   on 

18 


U' 


I! 

V. 

Ml 


•t! 

I'  i> 


?• 


'./' 


>  n 


imiiiiii 


mwmHI 


133 


UISTOHY    OF    MICIUOAN. 


promise  of  protection  from  the  Indians.  This  promise,  liow- 
ever.  was  disregarded,  and  the  garrison  was  massacred.  Byrd 
afterwards  cajitnrcd  a  small  stockade  in  tluit  qnarter,  called 
Martin's  Station,  and  his  advance  spread  the  ntmost  consterna- 
tion through  the  conntry.  Hefoie,  however,  asnllicicnt  force 
could  be  organized  against  him,  ho  withdrew  his  forces  from 
that  region.* 

Another  expedition  was  also  sent  out  from  Detroit,  under 
the  command  of  Henry  Hamilton,  the  governor  of  this  post. 
Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark,  a  brave  and  energetic  oliicer,  had 
been  despatclicd  by  the  Governor  of  Virginia  for  the  defence 
of  the  Kentucky  frontier,  which  was  then  feeble  and  exposed. 
Believing  that  the  most  direct  means  of  accomplishing  tliat 
object  was  to  capture  the  posts  in  the  Illinois,  he  descended  the 
Ohio,  reduced  Kaskaskia,Caliokia,  and  several  other  small  set- 
tlements in  this  region.     When  Governor  Hamilton,  who  was 
then  at  Detroit,  received  information  of  his  success,  he  collected 
nil  the  force  which  could  be  obtained,  comprised  of  regular 
troops,  militia,  and  Indians,  and  proceeded  to  Vincennes  for 
the  purpise  of  dislodging  him.     There  lie  halted,  in  order  to 
commence  operations  as  soon  as  the  season  would  permit.   It 
was  his  purpose  to  recover  the  posts  which  had  been  taken, 
to  destroy  the  force  of  General  Clark,  and  to  devastate  the  in- 
fant settlements  of  that  territory. 

Clark,  who  was  watching  liis  movements,  was  advised  by 
a  Spanish  merchant  that  Hamilton,  who  was  careless  in  his 
operations,  had  despatclicd  a  part  of  his  force  to  the  Ohio 
River,  to  watch  that  stream  and  harass  the  settlements  along 
its  banks  ;  and  he  immediately  secured  a  small  armed  boat 
and  supplied  it  with  provisions  for  his  troops.  Ordering  this 
boat  to  proceed  down  the  Wabash,  a  short  distance  below 
Nashville,  and  to  permit  nothing  to  pass  that  river,  he  set 
out  with  one  hundred  and  thirty  men,  the  only  force  he  could 
procure,  he  started  for  that  place  in  mid-winter.  During  this 
campaign  the  force  of  Clark  suffered  extraordinary  hardship, 
and  was  sixteen  days  in  crossing  the  country,  five  of  wliich 


♦  Ciiss's  Diatoursf. 


EXPKniTIOiNS    FROM    DETUOIT. 


139 


wore  employed  iu  wading  through  tlie  overflowed  banks  oftho 
Wabash.     During  five  of  these,  his  detachment  marched  with 
water  reaching  to  their  breasts.    Suddenly  he  appeared  be- 
fore  Vinceiuies,  witli  a  tree  shaped  hke  a  cannon ;  by  which 
stratagem  ho  persuaded  Ilarniiton  that  he  had  brought  with 
him  artillery.     The  post  was  immediately  surrendered.     Ha- 
milton, who  hud  been  active  in  inciting  the  barbarity  of  tho 
savages,  was  put  in  irons  and  sent  to  Virginia,  while  the  mili- 
tia  who  accompanied  Iiim  were  permitted  to  retin-n  to  Detroit.' 
During  tho  period  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  Indians 
upon  tho  lakes  were  the  subject  of  much  anxiety  to  th<;  En- 
glish government,  and  it  was  their  policy  to  enlist  all  the  In- 
dian strength  which  they  could  excite  against  the  cause  of 
the  colonies.      At  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  a  mes- 
sage  was  received  from  the  British  king,  calling  upon  them  to 
preserve  the  terms  of  peace.     Among  those  most  flivorable  to 
neutrality  were  the  Delaware  chief  Netawatwees,  and  White 
Eyes.     As  early  as  1776  a  message  was  received  from  the 
Hurons  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit, 'requesting  the  Dclawares 
to  keep  their  shoes  in  readiness  to  "join  the  warriors."     This 
message  Netawatwees  would  not  receive,  but  despatched  se- 
veral  belts  of  wampum  to  the  cliicf  of  the  Tlurons  at  Detroit, 
admonishing  them  to  remain  quiet,  and  to  remember  the  mi- 
sery which  they  had  brought  upon  themselves  by  engaging  in 
the  former  wars  between  the  French  and  the  English.'  This 
message  was  delivered  to  the  chief  of  the  Hurons  at  Detroit, 
in  presence  of  the  English  conunandant  De  Peyster.      His 
rage  was  ungovern.ible,  as  he  had  Jioped  to  engage  the  as- 
sistance of  the  Indians  in  behalf  of  the  British  king!     He  cut 
tlie  belts  in  pieces,  cast  them  on  the  ground  before  the  In- 
dian messengers,  and  commanded  them  to  depart  within  half 
an  hour  from  that  part  of  the  country.t 

There  is  evidence  to  show,  that  in  1778,  as  well  as  at  a 
later  time,  the  Delawaros  and  the  other  Indian  nations  in  this 


I 


r'i 


•  4ri 


m 


*  See  Cns.s's  ni>cnursf>. 

t  See  Loskicl'8  Ili.-toiv  of  ilif  Missions  of  the  United  Brethren;  London. 
1791,  ' 


i  IJ 


I 


C'^^ 


140 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


n    • 


i  1 


■ 


quarter  were  urged  by  promises  and  throats  to  embark  against 
the  American  colonies  in  behalf  of  the  British  Government. 

All  the  avenues  were  secured  by  which  the  British  com- 
mandant could  attain  his  end.  Certain  Moravian  missionaries, 
who  were  established  on  the  Muskingum,  were  believed  to 
exercise  their  influence  over  the  Indians  in  favor  of  the  colo- 
nists ;  as  it  was  alleged  that  they  had  received  a  message  from 
the  Congress  of  Philadelphia,  couched  in  the  kindest  terms, 
and  stating  that  an  Indian  agent  would  be  appointed,  and  that 
the  Indians  of  the  missionaries  should  correspond  with  him 
on  all  public  concerns.  In  consequence  of  the  reports  made 
by  the  enemies  of  the  missionaries  that  they  had  influenced 
tlic  Indians,  an  officer  marclied  from  Detroit,  as  early  as  1779, 
Avith  the  avowed  object  of  taking  the  most  influential  of  these 
missionaries  ;  on  the  ground  that  if  he  was  removed  the  De- 
lawares  and  the  other  tribes  would  join  the  British.* 

On  these  suspicions  the  English  commandant  at  Detroit 
determined,  if  possible,  to  remove  the  pacific  influence  of  the 
German  missionaries.  For  that  object,  the  English  agent  ot 
Indian  aftairs  was  sent  to  Niagara  to  attend  a  grand  couiicil 
of  the  Iroquois  at  that  place,  and  request  them  to  remove  the 
missionaries  and  their  Indian  congregation.  The  plan  was 
arranged  ;  but  the  Iroquois  not  wishing  to  undertake  the  ac- 
tive agency  of  the  mattei  themselves,  sent  a  message  to  the 
Chipp"cwas  and  Ottawas  with  a  belt,  stating  that  tliey  made 
them  "  a  present  of  the  Indian  congregation  to  make  soup  of." 
This  request  was  declined  by  those  tribes,  and  in  consequence 
the  same  message  was  sent  to  the  half-king  of  the  Hurons, 
and  accepted  by  him,  backed  by  Captain  Pipe,  the  Delaware 

chief. 

In  November,  1781,  four  of  these  missionaries,  among 
whom  was  lle^tkewelder,  reached  Detroit,  and  were  soon 
brousrht  before  the  English  commandant  De  Peyster.  Ko- 
guethagechton,  called  by  the  Americans  White  Eyes,  was  the 
head  chief  of  the  Turtle  tribe  in  Ohio;  while  Capt-un  Pipe, 
of  the  Wolf  tribe,  was  an  avowed  friend  of  the  British  against 

»  Pec  l.oskicl. 


SPlCECn    OP   CAPTAIN    PIPE. 


141 


the  Colonies.  A  council  for  their  trial  was  held  at  the  coun- 
cil-house at  Detroit ;  Captain  Pipe  was  present  with  his  Wolf 
warriors.  The  tribes  were  ranged  around  the  hall,  which 
was  filled  with  the  concourse.  On  each  side  of  the  comman- 
dant a  war-chief  of  each  of  the  two  divisions  held  a  stick  in 
his  hand  of  four  feet  in  length,  strung  with  American  scalps 
which  they  had  just  taicen.  Captain  Pipe  was  called  upon 
for  his  sentiments,  and  he  arose  and  delivered  the  following 
speech : — * 

"  Father  !"  he  began  ;  mid  here  he  paused,  turned  round  to 
the  audience  with  a  most  sarcastic  look,  and  then  proceeded 
in  a  lower  tone,  as  addressing  them—''  I  have  said  father, 
though  indeed  I  do  not  know  why  I  'lould  call  him  so,  I 
have  never  known  any  father  but  the  French.  I  have  only 
considered  the  English  as  brothers.  But  as  this  name  is 
imposed  upon  us,  I  shall  make  use  of  it,  and  say— Father"-— 
fixing  his  eyes  again  on  the  commandant—"  some  time  ago 
you  put  a  war-hatchet  into  my  hands,  saying, « Take  this  wea- 
pon, and  try  it  on  the  heads  of  my  enemies  the  Long-Knives, 
and  let  me  know  afterwards  if  it  was  sharp  and  good.' 

«  Father  :— At  the  time  you  gave  me  this  weapon,  I  had 
neither  cause  or  wish  to  go  to  war  against  a  foe  who  had 
done  me  no  injury.  But  you  say  you  are  my  father,  and  call 
mo  your  cliild,  and  in  obedience  to  you  I  received  the  hatchet. 
1  knew  that  if  I  did  not  obey  you,  you  would  withhold  from 
me  the  necessaries  of  life,  whicli  I  could  procure  no  where  but 
here.  Father,  you  may  perhaps  think  me  a  fool  for  risking 
my  life  at  your  bidding,  and  that  in  a  cause  in  which  I  have 
no  prospect  of  gaining  any  thing.  For  it  is  your  cause  and 
not  mine.  You  have  raised  a  quarrel  among  yourselves, 
and  you  ought  to  fight  it  out.  It  is  your  concern  to  fight  the 
Long-Knives.  You  should  not  compel  your  children,  the 
Indians,  to  expose  themselves  to  danger  for  your  sake.  Fa- 
ther, many  lives  have  al-eady  been  lost  on  your  account.  The 
tribes  have  sufil-red  and  been  weakened.  Children  have  lost 
parents  and  brothers— wives  have  lost  husbands.     It  is  not 

♦  Soo  Tliatclier'3  "  Lives  of  the  Indians." 


•    i 


h . 


m 


H    » ax  iitt,  w 


142 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


^?i     il 


known  how  many  more  may  perish  before  your  war  will  be 
at  an  end. 

"  Father  : — I  have  said  you  may  perhaps  think  me  a  fool 
for  thus  thoughtlessly  rushing  on  your  enemy.  Do  not  be- 
lieve this,  fatlier ;  think  not  I  want  sense  to  convince  me, 
that  although  you  now  pretend  to  keep  up  a  perpetual  enmity 
to  the  Long-Knives,  you  may  before  long  conclude  a  peace 
with  them.  Father,  you  say  you  love  your  children,  the  In- 
dians. This  you  have  often  told  them  ;  and  indeed  it  is  your 
interest  to  say  so  to  them,  that  you  may  have  them  at  your 
service.  But  father,  who  of  us  can  believe  that  you  can  love 
a  people  of  a  different  color  from  your  own  better  than  those 
who  have  white  skins  like  yourselves  ?  Father,  pay  atten- 
tion to  what  I  am  going  to  say.  While  you,  father,  are  setting 
me  on  your  enemy,  much  in  the  same  manner  as  a  hunter  sets 
liis  dog  on  the  game  ;  while  I  am  in  the  act  of  rushing  on 
that  enemy  of  yours  with  the  bloody  destructive  weapon  you 
gave  me,  I  may,  perchance,  happen  to  look  back  to  the  place 
from  whence  you  started  me  ;  and  what  shall  I  see  ?  Perhaps 
I  may  see  my  father  shaking  hands  with  the  liOng-Knives ; 
yes,  with  those  very  people  he  now  calls  his  enemies.  I  may 
then  see  him  laugh  at  my  folly  for  having  obeyed  his  orders. 
And  yet  I  am  now  risking  my  life  at  his  command.  Father, 
keep  what  I  have  said  in  remembrance.  Now,  father,  here 
is  what  has  been  done  with  the  hatchet  you  gave  me,  (hand- 
ing the  stick  with  the  scalps  on  it),  I  have  done  with  the  hatch- 
et what  you  ordered  me  to  do,  and  found  it  sharp.  Never- 
theless I  did  not  do  all  that  I  might  have  done.  No,  I  did 
not.  My  heart  failed  me.  I  felt  compassion  for  your  enemy. 
Innocence  had  no  part  in  your  quarrels  ;  therefore  I  distin- 
guished, I  spared.  I  took  some  live  flesh,  which,  while  I  was 
bringing  to  you,  I  spied  one  of  your  large  canoes,  on  which  I 
put  it  for  you.  In  a  few  days  you  will  receive  this  flesh,  and 
find  that  the  skin  is  of  the  same  color  with  your  own.  Fatlier, 
I  hope  you  will  not  destroy  what  I  have  saved.  You  have 
the  means  of  preserving  that  which  would  perish  with  us  for 
want.  The  warrior  is  poor,  and  his  cabin  is  always  empty ; 
but  your  house  is  always  full." 


'm 


MISSIONARIES    AC(aUITTED. 


143 


Captain  Pipe,  however  excited  he  might  have  been,  that  the 
English  commandant  had  evaded  his  own  responsibiUty,  and 
thrown  its  whole  weight  upon  the  chief,  at  length  avowed 
himself  in  favor  of  the  missionaries ;  and  they  were  acquitted 
and  discharged  after  having  suffered  much  personal  abuse 
from  the  savages.  They  returned  home,  and  reached  San- 
dusky in  1782,  on  the  22d  of  November.  It  was  ascertained 
that  the  only  ground  of  complaint  against  them  was  the  fact 
that  the  missionaries  had  interpreted  certain  letters  which  had 
been  received  by  the  Delaware  chiefs  from  Pittsburgh.  Ef- 
forts of  a  similar  character,  calculated  to  arouse  the  friendly 
savages  against  the  United  States,  and  to  prevent  neutrality, 
by  impressing  them  with  the  conviction  that  it  was  the  de- 
sign of  the  Americans  to  drive  them  from  their  lands,  were 
made  by  the  British  agents  during  the  whole  course  of  the 
revolutionary  war. 


i  '1 

;i8 


if 


I 


i  'V\ 


144 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Treaty  of  irSJ-Norl.i-wost  territory  organized-Arthur  St.  Clair  appointed  Go- 
vernor-Retont.on  ofthn  posts  by  tiie  Eni-lish-Conf-'deration  ol  the  savai^es 
j-Me.sa^n  of  thoHuroiiH  of  Detroit-Division  of  Canada-Sirncoe,  MuKe.^ 
Elhor,  and  Girtv-Messaae  from  the  Spanish  setthments  on  the  MisMs.ipp 
-Canipaian  of  Gen.  Harnmr-St.  Clair's  Defeat-Vietory  of  General  Wayne 
>^^.ew  of  settlements  in  Miehi-an -Project  of  Randall  and  Whitney-Posrs 
ol  Mackinaw  and  Detroit  relinquished— Condition  of  Michigan  at  tinu  time. 

During  the  whole  progress  of  the  Revohitionaiy  war,  Michi- 
gan was  in  a  state  of  comparative  quietude.     Constitutiuir  a 
part  of  the  Canadian  territory,  which  comprised  t[ie  Freiicfi 
and  Enghsh  loyahsts,  it  was  opposed  to  the  doctrines  of  the 
American  revokition.     A  magazine  of  arms  for  the  savages, 
and  c.  mart  where  the  price  of  scalps  was  paid,  it  exhibited  no 
prominent  events  which  give  interest  and  coloring  to  the  page 
of  history,  because  it  was  not  made  a  theatre  of'exciting  auc- 
tion.    There  was  here  no  well-organized  form  of  govcnu'iient 
and  no  settled  frame  of  jurisprudence  ;  and,  by  consequence, 
there  are  few  records  of  growth  and  production,  commerce, 
population,  and  military  events,  like  those  which  are  found  in 
the  more  densely-settled  states.      The  mere  outpost  of  the  Ca- 
nadian territory,  it  spread  out  a  magnificent  wilderness,  in 
which  the  axe  had  scarce  felled  a  tree  or  the  plough  made  a 
furrow.     It  was  trackless,  save  where  the  Indian  trail  wound 
through  the  dense  forests  and  the  flowery  oak-lands  ;  and  un- 
broken, excepting  by  the  scattered  Indian  villages,  the  clear- 
ings of  Indian  corn-fields,  sometimes  studding  the  prairies,  or 
the  solitary  posts  of  the  fur  trade,  which  variegated  the  land- 
scape at  wide  intervals.     The  liunter's  path  lay  along  streams 
winch  had  reflected  little  since  the  creation  but  the  vegetation 
upon  their  banks,  or  the  wild  beasts  which  drank  at  their  cur- 
rent and  disputed  the  right  of  domain  with  the  savage. 

The  wars  which  liad  raged  in  the  eastern  part  of  the''counfry 
were,  however,  soon  brought  to  a  termination,  under  tlie  pure 
and  glorious  administration  of  Washmgton,  and  the  treaty  of 


NORTH-WESTERN   TERRITOKV    ORGANIZED. 


145 


peace  of  1783  was  claimed  to  include  Michioran  within  Ameri- 
can bounds.  But  peace  found  the  country  like  a  veteran  sol- 
dier— unconquered,  houseless,  and  covered  with  wounds. 
The  nation  was  burdened  with  debt  from  the  expenses  of  a 
long  war,  and  it  became  an  important  object  to  provide  for  its 
liquidation.  The  people  of  the  country  had  long  regarded 
the  western  lands  as  a  fund  to  aid  in  the  payment  of  this  na- 
tional debt.  The  lands,  which  were  comprised  in  the  territo- 
ry north-west  of  the  river  Ohio,  in  which  limit  Michigan  was 
embraced,  were  claimed  by  several  of  the  eastern  states,  on  the 
ground  of  original  charters  to  the  colonies  from  the  crown  of 
England.  These  were,  in  consequence,  deniiminated  crown 
lands.  It  was  maintained,  that  since  the  war,  prosecuted  for 
the  general  defence  and  benefit  of  the  country,  the  states  claim- 
ing the  lands  in  this  quarter,  and  who  could  not  realise  any 
special  advantage  from  these  possessions,  ought  to  relin(|uisl' 
them  as  a  common  fund  for  the  benefit  of  the  United  States 
rather  than  to  see  the  whole  nation  sink  under  a  burthen  of 
debt.  A  concession  of  these  lands  was,  in  fact,  made  an  im- 
portant object  in  establishing  the  confederation.  The  Ameri- 
can people  in  this  quarter  also  desired  some  eflicient  system 
wiiich  should  regulate  their  territory  in  order  to  afford  them 
organized  defence  in  war  and  a  settled  frame  of  government. 
Under  the  existing  state  of  things,  they  were  on  the  edo-e  of 
American  jurisdictj.  a,  surrounded  by  enemies,  and  without  any 
adequate  means  of  protection. 

In  order  to  induce  the  States  to  make  liberal  cessions  of 
lands  to  the  general  government.  Congress,  on  the  10th  of 
October,  1780,  declared  that  the  territory  ceded  should  be  dis- 
posed of  for  the  common  benefit  of  the  Union,  and  be  formed 
into  Republican  states,  possessing  the  same  rights  and  privi- 
leges with  the  other  States  ;  and  to  be  of  proper  extent  of  ter- 
ritory, not  less  ihan  one  hundred,  nor  more  than  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  square  ;  and  that  the  expense  incurred  by  any 
State  since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  in  subduing  any 
British  post,  or  in  maintaining  and  acquiring  the  title,  should 
be  reimbursed.  In  accordance  with  this  recommendation. 
New- York  led  the  way  in  this  compromise,  and  ceded  to  the 

19 


Uil 


!  k'l 


W* 


14(3 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


fr 


United  States,   in  March,  1781,  all  her  claims  to  the  lands 
norlli-west  of  the  River  Ohio,     In  January,   1784,  Virginia 
fallowed  the  example  of  New- York,  but  was  disposed  to  affix  a 
condition,  which  was  not  deemed  liberal  by  some  of  the  States, 
and  which  was  refused  by  the  majority  in  Congress.     This 
condition  was,  that  Congress  should  guarantee  all  the  other 
lands  which  she  claimed  between  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  tlie 
so\ith-east  side  of  the  River  Ohio,  and  the  boundaries  of  Ma- 
ryland, Pennsylvania,  and  North  Carolina.     This  condition, 
whicli  was  refused  by  Congress,  was  afterwards  withdrawn  by 
Virginia,  and  the  cession  was  accepted,  Massachnsetts  made  its 
deed  of  cession  in  April,  1785,  and  surrendered  all  her  right  to 
lands  west  of  the  line  fixed  by  New- York.     In  September, 
1786,  Connecticut  ceded  all  the  lands  included  within  her 
chartered  limits,  lying  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  west  of 
the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania  ;  and  in  August,  1787, 
South  Carolina  granted  to  the  United  States  her  right  to  land 
lying  west  of  the  chain  of  mountains  which  divides  the  east- 
ern and  western  waters.     In  this  mode  Congress  became  pos- 
sessed of  the  lands  lying  north-west  of  the  River  Ohio,  and 
in  July,  1787,  a  government  was  established  for  this  tract, 
which  was  termed  the  North-ivesicrn  Territory*     This  go- 
vernment was  comprised  in  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and  it  was 
framed  by  Nathan  Dane,  of  Beverly,  Massachusetts,     The  or- 
dinance of  1787  is  the  basis  of  all  the  territorial  governments  of 
the  United  States  in  this  quarter,  Tlie  territory  was  made  into 
one  district,  subject  to  be  divided  into  two  at  the  will  of  Con- 
gress,    It  was  provided,  that  until  the  nnmber  of  free  male 
citizens  should  amount  to  five  thousand,  it  should  be  vested 
in  a  governor  and  three  judges,  who,  as  well  as  a  secretary, 
should  be  appointed  by  Congress,     The  governor  and  judges 
were  empowered  to  adopt  and  publish  such  laws  of  the  origi- 
nal states,  criminal  and  civil,  as  might  be  suited  to  the  circum- 
stances of  the  district,  and  report  them  to  Congress.     These 
laws  were  to  be  in  force  until  disapproved  by  that  body. 
The  governor  was  also  invested  with  the  power  to  divide 

*  See  Report  of  Mr.  Thomas,  from  the  committee  on  Judiciary,  March  2, 
183G. 


i 


NORTH-WESTERN    TERRITORY    ORGANIZED.  147 

the  districts  into  townships  or  counties,  and  to  appoint  civil  of- 
ficers; and  when  the  free  male  inhabitants  of  full  age  should 
amount  to  five  thousand,  a  general  assembly— comprised  of  a 
governor,  a  legislative  council,  and  house  of  representatives- 
was  to  be  constituted.  The  representatives  were  to  be  select- 
ed from  the  counties  or  townships,  one  for  every  five  hundred 
free  male  inhabitants,  until  the  number  amounted  to  twenty- 
five,  after  which  the  number  was  to  be  regulated  by  the  le- 
gislature. They  were  to  hold  their  offices  for  two  years. 
Each  representative  was  required  to  have  been  a  citizen  of 
the  United  Stat  s  for  three  years,  and  a  resident  iu  the  dis- 
trict, or  to  have  resided  in  the  district  three  years,  and  to 
possess  in  the  district,  in  fee  simple,  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  ;  and  an  elector  was  required  to  have  resided  three  years 
in  the  district,  and  to  be  a  citizen  of  one  of  the  States,  or  pos- 
sess a  like  freehold  and  two  years'  residence. 

The  legislative  council  was  to  consist  of  five  persons,  who 
were,  unless  removed  by  Congress,  to  hold  their  offices  for 
five  years.  The  following  was  the  mode  in  v/hich  they  were 
to  oe  appointed  : — The  house  of  representatives  were  autboriz- 
ed  to  nominate  ten  persons,  each  possessed  of  a  freehold  of 
five  hundred  acres  of  laud  ;  and  out  of  this  number  Congress 
were  permitted  to  appoint  five,  as  members  of  the  legislative 
council.  The  general  assembly  were  allowed  to  make  laws 
for  the  district,  in  conformity  to  the  ordinance,  which  were  to 
have  the  assent  of  the  majority  of  both  houses  and  that  of  the 
governor.  The  legislative  assembly  were  also  permitted  by 
joint  ballot  to  elect  a  delegate  to  Congress,  who  had  the 
right  of  speaking  but  not  of  voting. 

Certain  articles  of  compact  were  also  established  between 
the  original  States  and  the  people  of  the  north-western  terri- 
tory, which  might  form  the  basis  of  their  future  connexion 
which  should  remain  unalterable,  unless  by  common  consent. 
By  this  compact  freedom  of  religion  was  guaranteed,  as  well 
as  the  benefits  of  the  writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  and  trial  by  jury ; 
and  those  other  fundamental  principles  which  constitute  the 
basis  of  the  American  constitutions.  Education  was  to  be 
encouraged.    The  utmost  good  faith  was  to  be  preserved  to- 


i'  \ 


•  I  i  a 


148 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


'I 


. 
4 


ward  the  Indians,  their  lands  were  forbidden  to  be  taken  without 
their  consent,  and  slavery  was  to  be  prohibited  for  ever.  The 
territory  and  States  erected  therein  were  to  remain  forever  a 
part  of  the  American  confederacy,  and  not  less  than  three,  or 
more  than  five  States  were  to  be  erected  within  its  boimds. 
At  the  same  time  the  bounds  of  these  States  were  so  fixed,  as 
that  Congress  had  a  right  to  alter  them  by  forming  one  or 
two  new  States  in  that  part  of  the  territory  lying  north  of  an 
east  and  west  line  drawn  through  the  southerly  bend  or  ex- 
ti  erne  of  Lake  Michigan.  Whenever  either  of  those  States 
should  contain  a  popu'ation  of  sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants, 
such  State  was  allowed  to  be  admitted  intu  the  Union  on  an 
equal  footing  with  the  original  States,  and  to  form  a  permanent 
republican  constitution  and  State  government ;  and  before  they 
had  attained  that  population,  they  wereallowed  an  admission  in- 
to the  Union  if  it  should  be  found  consistent  with  the  interest  of 
the  confederation.  Under  this  frame  of  government,  Michi- 
gan commenced  its  first  existence  within  American  jurisdic- 
tion. The  first  step  taken  toward  settling  the  north-western 
territory,  was  the  presentation  of  a  memorial  from  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  revolutionary  army  entitled  to  land  boun- 
ties under  the  resolves  of  1776  and  1780.  This  memorial 
was  forwarded  to  Gen.  Washington  by  Gen.  Rufus  Putnam, 
in  February  of  1783.*  The  first  set  of  laws  was  published 
by  being  nailed  upon  a  tree  upon  the  banks  of  (^>t  Muskin- 
gum, and  in  1788  Return  Jonathan  Meigs  was  appointed  to 
administer  them,  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair,  the  governor,  having 
not  at  that  time  arrived.! 

*  See  an  elaborate  article  in  thelvOlh  number  of  the  North  American  Review 
entitled  "  Fifty  Years  of  Ohio." 

t  The  following  ia  an  extract  of  an  oration  delivered  on  the  4th  of  July,  1788, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Muskingum,  now  Marietta,  by  James  H.  Varnum,  who, 
with  S.  H.  Parsons  and  John  Armstrong,  had  been  appointed  to  the  bench.  It 
relates  to  the  non-arrival  of  the.  Governor  of  the  north-western  territory,  and  is  a 
prominent  specimen  of  grandiloquence  : — 

"  May  he  soon  arrive !     Thou,  gently  flowing  Ohio,  whose  surface,  as  con 
sclous  of  I  by  unequalled  majesty,  reflecleth  no  imajies  but  the  grandeur  of  the 
impending  heavens,  bear  him,  oh  boar  him  satoly  to  this  anxious  spot;  and 
thou,  beautifully  transparent  Muskingum  !  swell  at  the  moment  of  his  approach. 


l^i 


WESTERN    POSTS    RETAINKD. 


149 


The  treaty  of  peace  of  1783  did  not  terminate  tne  difficul- 
ties  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.     Several 
minor  questions  sprang  up,  which  were  the  cause  of  dissatis- 
faction to  both  parties.     Debts  due  hy  Americans  to  British 
subjects,  wliose  payment  was  guaranteed  in  the  treaty,  were 
neglected  ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  the  negroes  belonging  to 
American  subjects,  who  were  in  the  possession  of  British 
officers,  were  not  restored  ;  and  when  the  Baron  Steuben  was 
sent  by  Gen.  Washington  to  Sir  Frederick  Haldimand  at  Que- 
bec, to  arrange  matters  for  the  occupation  of  these  posts,  v^ith 
instructions  to  proceed  to  Michigan,  he  was  informed  that  the 
130sts  would  not  be  surrendered  at  that  time,  and  was  refused 
his  passports  to  Niagara  and  Detroit,     ^'he  Indian  tribes  scat- 
tered  along  the  north-western  territory,  goaded  by  the  advance 
of  the  white  population  upon  that  domain,  and  inflamed  by 
the  people  in  tliat  quarter,  began  to  show  undoubted  si^ns  of 
dissatisfaction.     As  early  as  1785  and  1786,  they  had  carried 
their  acts  of  individual   hostility  to  the  feeble  settlements  of 
Kentucky  and  the  hanks  of  the  Ohio.     Two  years  had  there- 
f()re  scarcely  elapsed  after  the  close  ol  the  war,  before  a  com- 
bination of  the  savages  along  the  north-west  was  formed,  and 
Thayendanegea,  called  Joseph  Brant,  the  leading  warrior  of 
the  Six  Nations,  was  requested  by  the  Algonquin  tribes  to  as- 
certain what  assistance  could,  in  case  of  war,  be  derived  from 
Great  Britain.* 

In  December,  1786,  a  grand  confederate  council  of  the  In- 
dians north-west  of  the  Ohio  was  held  near  the  Huron  villatre 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  River,  which  was  attended  by  the 
Six  Nations,  the  Hurons,  Ottawas,  Miamies,  Shawanese.  Chip- 
pewas,  ( 'herokees,  Delawares,  Pofawatamies,  and  the  confede- 
rates of  the  Wabash.  The  ground  of  difference  between  the  In- 
dians and  the  United  States  was  a  question  of  boundary  ;  the 
Indians  maintaining  that  the  Oliio  River  was  not  to  be  crossed 
by  the  Americans.  The  council  was  pacific,  providing  that  the 
United  States  did  not  encroach  on  their  lands.     The  Indians 

and  reflect  no  ol.jects  but  of  pleasure  and  delight."  See  North  American  Review 
Number  100  article  on  Ohio. 
♦  See  Stone's  "Life  of  Brant,"  a  valuable  depository  of  facts. 


>    s     4  \ 


\wmififnt 


I 


I!,     i 


.  I. 


150 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


were  not  iuchided  in  the  trentv,  and  it  became  a  nice  Ic^al 
qiiesfir»n  hnw  fir  ihe  United  States  had  a  right  to  advance 
upon  the  territory  then  occupied  by  the  Indians.  Tiie  sava- 
ges attributed  the  mischief  and  confusion  to  the  fact  that  the 
United  States  would  "  kindle  the  council-fires  wherever  they 
thonulit  proper  without  consultinw^  the  Indians."  The  posts 
in  Micliio;an  thus  withholi^  iii.n  ilie  possession  of  the  United 
States,  were  Detroit  and  Mackinaw  ;  and  Great  Britain,  in  or- 
der to  strengthen  the  post  against  the  incursions  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, took  immediate  measures  to  garrison  the  fort  of  Detroit, 
under  instructions  from  Lord  Dorciiester. 

It  was  finally  proposed  to  call  a  grand  council  of  the  In- 
dians in  which  the  whole  ground  of  complaint  between  the 
savages  and  the  United  States  should  be  discussed,  and  some 
final  determination  made. 

The  following  is  the  invitation  of  tlie  Hurons  of  Detroit  to 
the  Five  Nations,  requesting  them  to  attend  this  council. 

Message  of  the  Hurons  of  Detroit  to  the  Five  Nations. 

•^  January  2ist,  1788. 
"  Brethren  : — Noi;hing  yet  has  reached  us  in  answer  to 
the  messages  sent  to  the  Americans  on  the  breaking  up  of 
our  general  council,  nor  is  it  now  probable  that  we  shall  hear 
from  them  before  our  next  meeting  takes  place,  a  circumstance 
that  ought  to  expedite  us  in  our  business.  Tae  nations  this 
way  have  adhered  hitherto  to  the  engagements  entered  into 
belore  we  parted,  at  least  as  far  as  has  come  to  our  knowledge, 
and  we  intend  immediately  to  call  them  to  this  council-fire 
which  shall  be  uncovered  at  the  time  appointed  ;  that  without 
further  delay  some  decisive  measures  may  be  finally  fixed  upon 
for  our  future  interest,  which  must  govern  hereafter  the  con- 
duct of  all  the  nations  in  our  alliance  ;  and  this  we  intend  to 
be  our  last  council  for  the  purpose  ;  thertfore  it  is  needless  to 
urge  ftu'ther  the  indispensable  necessity  of  all  nations  being 
present  at  the  conclusion  of  atiairs  tending  so  much  to  their 
own  future  welftire  and  happiness.  And  we  do  in  a  particu- 
lar manner  desire  you,  the  Five  Nations,  to  be  strong  and 
punctual  in  your  promise  of  being  with  us  early  and  in  time ; 


WKSTERN    POSTS    RETAINEU. 


161 


nnd  that  not  only  tlio  warriors,  but  the  chiefs  of  your  several 
nations,  ntiond  on  this  oc-  asion.  Wesliuli  therefore  endea- 
vor to  hav^  as  many  of  the  western  nnd  southern  Indians  as 
possible  collected.  ^vW//^*  ofxcannmm:^ 

No  records  of  this  council  have  been  discovered,  although 
the  account  of  the  proceedings,  it  is  beli-^vcd,  were  forwarded 
to  Lord  Dorchester.  It  is  probable  that  there  was  a  division 
m  their  deliberations,  because  two  separate  treaties  were  held 
at  Fort  llarmar,  which  were  attended  by  only  a  part  of  the 
Indians.  These  treaties  were  held  by  Gen.  Si.  Cluir  in  Janu- 
ary, 1789  ;  ju  the  first  place  with  th-  Five  x\ations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Mohawks  ;  and  the  second  was  nade  with  the 
warriors  and  sachems  of  the  Wyandot,  Delaware,  Ottawa, 
C^hippewa,  Potawatamie,  and  Sac  tribes. 

It  appears,  that  from  1783,  the  date  of  the  peace  with  En- 
gland, to  the  reception  of  the  address  of  the  grand  council  of 
Indians,  which  was  held  at  the  Huron  village,  Congross  .-ted 
on  the  ground  that  this  treaty  invested  the  United  States  with 
the  fee  ofall  the  Indian  lands  within  its  bounds.  The  In- 
dians, on  the  contrary,  claimed  that  they  alone  had  the  exclu- 
sive right  to  the  soil  ;  and  hence  arose  the  ground  of  their 
troubl.  s  with  the  Americans,  who,  they  claimed,  were  tres- 
passers upon  their  land.  In  1790  the  government  of  the 
United  States  were  .:  issue  on  the  riirht  of  navicjation  to  the 
Mississippi,  and  the  Enohsh  attempt,  i  to  take  advantacre  of 
that  difficulty  for  the  purpose  of  fon.  iting  difficulties  "with 
the  United  States. 

Mutual  complaints  were,  in  fact,  made  after  the  peace  of 
1783,  both  by  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  that  the 
St    Illations  of  the  treaty  had  been  violated  by  both  parties. 

On  the  ide  of  Groat  Britain,  it  was  alleged  that  loyalists  to 
the  crown  had  been  refused  the  poxrer  of  regaining  posses.^  on 
o/ their  estates,  and  of  recovering  their  debts  before  the  hos- 
tihties  had  been  commenced.  It  was  maintained,  on  the  other 
hand,  thnt  the  military  posts  had  not  only  been  denied  to 
the  Americans,  whicli  of  right  belonged  to  them  ;  but  that  the 
Indians  were  melted  to  massacre  the  defenceless  inhabitants 


li!: 


I 


162 


HISTORY    OF    MICH   GAN. 


* 


on  the  frontier,  and  also  that  commercial  restrictions  had  been 
imposed  on  American  commerce. 

By  these  restrictions  American  sliips  trading  with  France 
misjht  be  seized  by  EiigUsh  cruisers  and  condemned. 

The  motives  which  actuated  the  pohcy  of  Great  Hritain 
regarding  the  western  posts  are  manifest.  They  well  knew 
the  Indian  influence  was  strongly  m  favor  of  the  English,  and 
that  they  might  ur,e  the  savage  strength  in  crippling  the 
growth  of  a  sturdy  rival,  which  was  advancing  with  power- 
ful strides  into  fertile  forests,  and  constructing  broader  nnd 
deeper  the  foundations  of  the  republican  edifice.  Accordingly, 
from  1783,  when  the  treaty  of  peace  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  United  States  was  made,  down  to  the  year  1796,  the 
whole  north-western  frontier,  which  was  included  within 
American  bounds,  was  withheld  from  the  possession  of 
the  country.  The  relations  between  the  two  governments 
were  in  an  unsettled  state.  Charges  were  made  on  the  partot 
the  British,  and  pressed  at  the  court  of  St.  James,  that  the 
Americans  had  not  complied  with  their  own  agreements.  It 
is  quite  possible,  although  differences  of  opinion  now  exist  on 
the  subject,  that  Great  Britain  had  regretted  the  cession  of  the 
wide  and  fertile  region  along  the  American  shore  of  the  lakes, 
and  was  disposed  to  pursue  a  policy  that  would  secure  it  al 
first  to  the  Indians,  and  subsequently  to  themselves. 

But  the  war  was  about  drawing  to  a  close.  Although  in 
1791  Canada  was  divided  into  an  Upper  and  Lower  Pro- 
vince, which  introduced  upon  the  stage  a  number  of  promi- 
nent actors,  still  no  material  injury  was  effected  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause  by  the  change.  The  upper  province  was  placed  un- 
der the  admiu'stration  of  Colonel  T.  G.  Simcoe,  who  was  ap- 
pointed lieutenant-iiOvernor  to  the  newly-organised  territory. 
Col.  Simcoe  established  his  head-quarters  at  Niagara.  Al- 
though at  first  professing  a  pacilic  spirit,  it  is  manifest,  that  with 
the  growing  difficulties  between  the  two  countries,  he  afterwards 
exercised  his  influence  most  strongly  against  the  United  States, 
aided  by  Colonel  McKee,*  Capt.  Elliot,  and  the  notorious  Si- 


WE8TEUN    POSTS    RICTAINiai. 


153 


nion  Girty.     The  throe  last  were  British  agents.    Lord  Dor- 
chester, it  is  allinncd,  exercised  his  own  iiiniience  for  iho 
same  end,  by  the  delivery  ola  speech,  whose  gcnuinetiess,  how- 
ever,  has  been  denied,  to  the  deputies  of  the  seven  nations  of 
Canada,  as  well  as  all  the  other  Indians  at  tlic  grand  coinicil 
of  tlie  preceding  autumn.     After  the  delivery  of  this  speech 
Governor  Siincoe  repaired  over  land  to  Detroit,  and,  proceed- 
ing  Willi  a  strong  detachment  to  the  foot  of  the  Miami  Rapids, 
he  erected  a  fortress  at  that  place.     During  the  whole  progress 
of  tiie  war  Detroit  was  made  the  scene  of  its  most  interesting 
councils  ;  and  the  haU-brccds  of  that  place  constantly  exercis- 
ed their  address  and  duplicity  by  operating  upon  the  minds  of 
the  credulous  savages  around  the  post.     It  was  represented  to 
them,  and  also  to  the  remote  tribes,  that  Governor  Simcoe  was 
to  march  to  their  aid  with  fifteen  hundred  men;  that  he  was 
givmg  them  clothing  and  all  necessary  supplies;  that  all  the 
speeches  sent  to  them  were  red  as  blood.     The  wampum  and 
feathers  were  painted  red;  the  war  pipes  and  hatchets  were 
pamted  red ;  and  even  the  tobacco  was  painted  red.     The 
minds  of  the  savages  were  swayed  by  such  influences.     This 
was  not,  however,  the  case  witii  the  Shawanese  prisoners  who 
were  captured.     Tiiey  said  «'  they  could  not  depend  upon  the 
British  for  elfeclual  support;  that  they  were  always  settino- 
the  Indians  on  like  dogs  after  game,  perchance  to  go  to  war 
and  kill  the  Americans,  but  they  did  not  help  them." 

The  design  of  the  British  to  confederate  the  tribes  of  the 
north-western  Indians  was  fully  demonstrated,  although  the 
object  was  not  avowed.  To  effect  this  plan,  public  co^lmcils 
find  individual  stratagems  were  used.  At  one  time  Alexan- 
der McKenzie,  an  agent  of  the  British  Government,  was  em- 
ployed to  paint  himself  as  an  Indian;  and  furnishing  him- 
self with  pipes  and  wampum  as  the  credentials  of  his  authori- 
ty, a  grand  council  was  convened  at  Detroit.  The  concourse 
of  Indians  there  assembled  was  addressed  by  Elliot  and  other 
British  agents.  It  was  alleged  that  McKenzie  was  an  am- 
bassador, who  Iiad  retm-ned  from  the  remote  tribes  of  the  Up- 
per Lakes,  and  that  their  bands  were  armed  with  the  toma- 
hawk and  scalping-knife,  and  were  ready   to  fall  upon  the 

20 


"H 


'  'i 


I 


154 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


It-J 


m 


Americans  ;  and  that  the  hordes  of  savages  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Mississippi  were  preparing  to  descend  that  stream,  and  to 
attack  the  settlements  of  Virginia  and  Ohio,  Tlie  fraud  thus 
practised  was  made  successful  by  the  fact,  that  McKonzie 
preserved  his  character  to  the  Hfe,  as  he  spoke  the  Indian  lan- 
guage witfi  perfect  precision,  and  was  supported  by  a  poriiot) 
oftlie  Wyandotsand  Sliawnees,  who  were  acquainted  with  ilie 
secret.  By  such  means  the  Ottawas,  the  Miamis,  the  Potawa- 
tawies,  the  Delawares,  the  Shawanese,  the  Chippewas,  and  the 
seven  nations  of  Canada  were  brought  into  tlie  field  against 
the  United  States.  Many  of  the  French  traders  from  the 
settlements  in  Michigan,  particularly  at  Detroit,  were  induced 
to  take  up  arms  against  the  United  States  for  the  alleged  reason, 
that  if  they  did  not  embark  in  the  Indian  cause,  they  would  not 
be  permitted  to  trade  with  the  Indians  in  their  own  territor/- 

Early  in  May,  1794,  a  new  messenger  appeared  from  tiie 
Spanish  settlements  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  and  he 
was  conducted  to  the  Miamis  by  a  deputation  from  the  Dela- 
wares. He  then  otfered  assistance  from  the  Spniiish  and 
French  settlements  in  the  south-west,  who,  he  said,  were  pre- 
paring to  come  to  their  aid. 

"  Children,"'  said  the  Spaniard,  "  you  see  me  on  my  feet 
grasping  the  tomahawk  to  strike  them.  We  will  strike  toge- 
ther. I  do  not  desire  you  to  go  before  me  in  the  front,  but  to 
follow  me. 

"Children  :  I  present  yon  with  a  war  pipe,  which  has  been 
sent  in  all  our  names  to  the  Musquakies,  and  all  those  nations 
who  live  towards  the  setting  sun,  to  get  upon  their  feet,  and 
take  hold  of  our  tomahawk  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  smoked  it, 
they  sent  it  back  with  a  promise  to  get  immediately  on  their 
feet  and  join  us,  and  strike  this  enemy. 

"  Children  :  you  hear  what  these  distant  nations  have  said  to 
us,  so  that  we  have  nothing  further  to  do  but  put  our  designs 
into  immediate  execution,  and  to  forward  this  pipe  to  the  three 
warlike  nations  who  have  so  long  been  stnig<rling  for  their 
country,  and  who  now  sit  at  tlie  Glaize.  Tell  them  to  smoke 
this  pipe,  and  forward  it  to  all  the  Lake  Indians  and  their 
northern  brethren.  Then  nothing  will  be  wanting  to  complete 


UsU 


WESTERN    POSTS    RETAINED. 


155 


our  general  miion  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of  the  sun 
and  all  nations  will  be  ready  to  add  strength  to  the  blow  wo 
are  going  to  make."  ° 

The  English  iKid  not,  to  any  great  extent,  encouraged  the 
settlement  of  the  country ;  and  the  Indians,  who  at  that  time 
occupied  Its  whole  length  and  breadth,  were  disposed    as  a 

i^nde.  of  the  north-western  terntory  into  their  own  hands. 
The  country  had,  in  fact,  been  ceded  to  the  United  States- 
but^new  negotiations  were  in  progress,  and  it  was  the  policy 
of  Gnu-jt  Britain  to  encoui-age  the  hostility  of  the  savJes  in 
OideiM  at  they  might  derive  whatever  ofletiefit  co.ildle  ob 
ta.ned  by  tne  surrender  of  the  cotintry  to  India.i  domii.ion. 

The  Indian  iiitluence,  as  has  been  before  remarked,  had 
gradually  strengthened  into  a  confederation  of  tribes  i,;  the 
veste.-n  forests  ;  and  a  pacific  negotiation  was  attempted  with 
these  tribes,  but  without  success.     Gen.  Hanr^ar  was  there- 
fore despatched  With  a  force  amou.iting  to  about  fourteen 
hundred  men,  in  order  to  subdue  them,  or  at  least  brine-  them 
to  subjection.      Owing  to  a  subdivision  of  his  army,  he  was 
unfortunately  defeated  with  great  massace  by  the  Indians 
near  Chilicothe,  Ohio  ;  not,  however,  before  he' had  succeTd! 
edm  destroy.ng  the  villages,  and  laying  waste  the  fields  of 
many  of  the  savages.     Gen.  Harmar  having  failed  in  the  en- 
tei-pnze,  was  succeeded  in  command  by  Major  Gen.  St  Clair 
tlie  then  governor  of  the  noi-th-westrrn  territoi-y.      Gen    St' 
Clair,  w-th  a,i  army  of  about  two  thousand  mei,  hastened  to' 
protect  the  defenceless  mhabitants  of  the  fi-ontier  from  Indian 
butchery,  andin  the  month  of  October,  1792,  he  inarched  into 
the  Wilderness.     With  a  force  whicli  had  been  reduced  by  de- 
sertion and  detacliment  to  about  fourteen  hundred,  h^  en- 
camped withm  a  few  miles  of  the  Miami  villo^es,  intending 
to  remain  there  until  he  was  reinforced.     Notwithstanding 
the  similar  disaster  which  had  befallen  his  predecessor.  GoZ 
St.  Clair  was  surprised  by  that  savage  and  desperate  warrior, 
the  Little  Turtle  ;  and  his  troops,  which  were  arrayed  in  front 
were  driven  back  upon  the  regulars  in  the  utmost  confiusiou! 
St.  Clair  endeavored  to  rally  his  retreating  forces,  but  without 


■i- 


Uf  / 


HISTORY    OK    MICHIGAN. 


,"11 


success.  Tliey  poured  in  like  the  locusts  of  Egypt  from  the 
surrounding  country,  raid  with  their  destructive  rifles  heaped 
the  battle-ground  willi  the  dying  and  the  dead.  After  an  ac- 
tion of  about  three  hours,  the  force  of  the  Americans  was  so 
crippled  by  the  savages,  that  the  General  deemed  it  prudent, 
in  order  to  save  theni  from  entire  destruction,  ♦o  order  his  ar- 
my to  retreat.  They  were  pursued  by  the  conquering  sava- 
ges for  about  four  miles,  when  they  returned  to  the  battle- 
ground in  order  to  enjoy  the  spoils  of  the  slaughter.  Tiie 
numbers  engaged  on  both  sides  were  about  equal ;  but  the  loss 
on  the  side  of  the  Americans  was  estimated  at  about  six  ium- 
dred  and  thirty  killed  and  missing,  and  two  lumdred  and  sixty 
wounded.  Tlie  loss  of  the  savages  is  not  accurately  ascer- 
tained, but  the  American  camp  and  artillery  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  Indians.  Gen.  St.  Clair,  who  was  disabled  by  indis* 
position  from  performing  the  active  duties  of  commander,  or- 
dered a  retreat  to  Fort  Jeilerson,  and  thence  to  Fort  Wash- 
ington. 

Cono-ress,  on  liearing  of  this  disastrous  conflict,  determined 
to  prosecute  the  war  with  extraordinary  vigor,  to  increase  the 
army  by  enlistments,  and  to  place  the  frontier  in  a  strong 
posture  of  defence.  In  accordance  with  this  determination, 
Washington,  acting  under  a  resolution  of  Congress,  endeavor- 
ed to  raise  a  powerful  force  ;  but  the  defeats  ofllarmar  and  St, 
Clair  had  created  such  a  panic,  that  a  sufficient  strengtii  could 
not  be  collected  to  warrant  an  expedition  against  the  Indians. 
Tlierc  was,  moreover,  a  formidable  opposition  to  the  war, 
and  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  undertake  another  eflort  for  a 
pacific  negotiation  with  the  unfriendly  savages,  but  without 
success. 

Gen.  St,  Clair,  upon  his  defeat  in  ITGl,  resigned  his  com- 
mand, and  was  succeeded  by  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne.  Gen. 
Wayne  was  a  chivalrous  officer,  full  of  energy  and  spirit.  He 
was  the  object  of  much  fear  to  the  Indians,  who  deemed  him 
possessed  of  uncommon  prowess,  and  from  his  supposed  cun- 
ning he  was  entitled  by  the  Indians  the  "  Blaclc  Sna/ce.''^ 
Near  the  close  of  the  year  1703  Gen.  Wayne  built  a  stockade 
on  the  ground  which  had  three  years  before  been  made  me' 


■i   i- 


WESTERN    POSTS    RETAINED. 


157 


Ml 

11 


niorable  by  tne  defeat  of  Gen.  St.  Clnir,  and  called  it  Fort 
Recovery,  While  employed  in  tlie  erection  of  this  work,  he 
offered  a  small  reward  for  every  human  skull  which  might  be 
picked  upon  the  battle-ground  ;  and  it  is  alleged  that  more 
than  five  hundred  of  these  mournful  relics  were  collected  on 
the  field  of  carnage,  and  entombed  in  one  of  the  block-houses. 
Having  loft  a  proper  garrison  at  Fort  Recovery,  Gen.  Wayne 
returned  to  Fort  Jelferson,  determined  to  winter  there  with 
the  main  body  of  his  army.  Ho  had  before  been  admonished 
of  the  character  of  his  enemy,  as  his  rear-guard  was  harassed 
by  a  band  of  siivages  on  his  way  to  Fort  Jeflerson. 

A  detachment  winch  had  left  Fort  Recovery,  where  it  had 
been  detached  in  Jimc,  1794,  to  escort  provisions  to  that 
place,  and  before  the  army  of  Gen  Wayne  had  left  its  winter- 
quarters,  were  attacked  when  within  about  a  mile  from  the 
fort  by  the  Indians  who  had  laid  in  ambush,  and  was  driver, 
back  into  their  very  gates,  where  the  savages  attempteu  at  the 
same  time  to  enter,  but  were  prevented.  On  ih  ;  tth  of  July 
of  the  same  year  he  followed  the  Indian  trac'-  ?  .:<  die  depths 
of  the  wilderness. 

At  the  crossing  of  the  St.  Mary's  River,  Fort  Adams  was  con- 
structed ;  and  while  the  American  army  halted  at  that  point, 
a  man  deserted  to  the  er»em>y,  and  carried  to  them  informa- 
tion of  the  progress  of  the  American  forces.  When,  thcrelbre, 
Gen.  Wayne  arrived  at  the  confincnce  of  the  Au  Glaize  and 
Man mee  rivers,  lie  found  the  Indian  v. ii ages  deserted.  He 
remained  at  that  place  a  few  days,  in  order  to  wait  for  the  re- 
turn of  certain  spies,  whom  lie  had  d-'spatched  under  Captain 
Welles  for  the  purpose  of  ascertainmg  the  movements  of  the 
savages,  and  while  there,  lie  «.'onstructed  Fort  Defiance. 

The  army  soon  moved  v/i>l;  extraordinary  ouutiondowu  tfie 
left  bank  of  the  Mauniee.  Gen.  VVayi^ke  made  orw?  more  effort 
to  bring  the  Indians  to  pacific  measures  by  despatching  mes- 
sonoers  with  terms  of  peace;  ;i  '  without  su--  On  the 

19lh  of  August  he  reached  the  Rapids  of  the  ,M.  nici,  about 
four  miles  above  the  IJritish  post,  and  erecting  -  -mAl  work 
for  the  protection  of  his  baggage  and  stores,  cailtd  Fort  De- 
pnsite,  he  advanced  upon  the  eiiemv.     The  British  post  had 


'Ipp 


15S 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


been   fortified  by  a  force  sent  from  Detroit  the  preceding 
spring,  and  the  Indians  were  entrenched  under  the  very  sha- 
dow of  the  English  fort.    It  is  clear,  from  various  facts,  that  the 
Indians  received  the  secret  co-operation  of  the  British,  althongh 
tlie  particular  part  which  they  acted  in  the  Indian  war  was 
not  apparent.     It  is  equally  evident,  that  had  the  confed.  at- 
ed  tribes  of  the  ravages  again  succeeded  against  the  Ameri- 
cans, that  circumstance  would  have  induced  them  openly  to 
espouse  their  cause.     This  fact  induced  Gen.  Wayne  to  take 
his  steps  with  the  utmost  caution  in  order   to  prevent  the  re- 
currence of  those  disastrous  defeats  which  had  followed  in  the 
track  of  his  predecessors.     The  British  Government  had  bo- 
fore  demanded,  as  a  condition  of  peace,  the  independence  of 
the  savages  wlio  occupied  tlic  norlh-western  frontier,  in  grai.t- 
ing   their  domain  to   whomsoever  they  might  think  proper. 
The  American  General,  in  consequence  of  the  refusal  of  this 
demand,  had  reason  to  believe  that  the  Indians  would  receive 
the  immediate  protection  of  the  British  fort,  and  .his  suspi- 
cion was  based  on  the  solid  ground  that  the  Indians  had  plant- 
ed tliemselves  within  a   short  distance  of  the  British  works. 
He  was,  however,  prepared  to  act  defen  ivelyagainst  a  civilized 
or  savage  foe,  as  he  had  received  secret  instructions,  in  case  of 
aid  from  the  British  to  the  Indians,  to  treat  them  according  to 
the  usages  of  war.     The  army  under  Gen.  Wayne  amounted 
to  about  three  thousand  men  ;  and  the  Indian  force,  embracing 
a  league  which  extended  over  the  whole  north-western  fron- 
tier, is  estimated  at  about  the  same  number.     As  he  advanc- 
ed toward  the  entrenchment  of  the  savages.  Gen.  Wayne  sent 
forward  a  battalion  of  motmted  riflemen,  with  the  instruction 
that  in  case  of  an  atta.-,k  they  should  retreat  in  feiijned  confu- 
sion, in  order  to  lure  the  savages  into  a  more  disadvanlao-eous 
position.     This  stratairem  was  successful,  :-nd  tie  advancing 
party  having  met  the  enemy,  was  fired  upon,  and  fell  back, 
being  pursued  by  tlie  Indians,  to  the  main  body  of  the  army. 
The  mornmg  of  th3  attack  was  rainy,  and  the  drums,  which 
were  to  give  t)ie  concerted  signals,  could  not  be  distinctly 
heurd  ;  and  accordingly  a  secret  plan  to  turn  the  riyht  flank  of 
the  enemy  was  not  executed.    The  success  of  Geu.  Wayne, 


\l 


WESTERN    P0ST3    UETAI.NEn. 


159 


^1 


however,  was  signal.  The  Indians,  after  an  obstinate  resist- 
ance, were  defeated,  and  retired  in  great  disorder,  havin^r  suf- 
fered a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  killed.  Gen.  Wayne  hav- 
ing built  Fort  Recovery  where  the  Americans  had  been  defeat- 
ed in  1791,  and  erected  Eort  Defiance  at  the  confluence  of  the 
An  Glaize  and  Miami,  liad  endeavored  to  bring  the  Indians  to 
terms,  but  without  success  ;  as  Col.  McKee,  the  Indian  agent, 
concealed  the  true  import  of  the  letter  which  was  forwarded 
for  that  object.  The  American  ibrce  consisted  of  about  two 
thousand  regulars  o,nd  eleven  hundred  mounted  militia nnder 
Gen.  Scott  of  Kentucky,  and  they  soon  advanced  to  the  Ra- 
pids of  the  Maumee.  The  force  of  the  Indians  was  command- 
ed by  Mesiecunnaqua,  or  the  Little  Turtle,  and  Blue  .Jacket, 
a  Sliawanese  warrior.  The  Indians  were  themselves  posted 
in  dense  forests  almost  under  the  shadow  of  the  British  fort, 
with  their  left  secured  by  the  rocky  bank  of  the  river  and  a 
breast-work  of  fillen  trees,  and  extended  in  three  lines  wi'hin 
supporting  distance  of  each  other.  Wayne's  leijion  had  its 
flank  upon  the  river,  a  brigade  of  mounted  volunteers  under 
General  Todd  the  left,  and  Gen.  Babee  the  rear.  Major 
Price,  with  a  select  battalion,  was  ordered  to  advance  to  re- 
connoitre the  enemy,  and  he  'vad  scarce  advanced  five  miles 
before  they  were  attacked  ;  Wayne's  legion  advanced  in  two 
columns  with  trailed  arms,  and  with  orders  to  press  upon  the 
enemy  with  the  bayonet,  to  arouse  them  and  give  a  close  fire 
upon  their  backs,  so  as  to  permit  them  no  opportunity  to  es- 
cape. By  this  mancEUvre  the  Indians  were  successfully  rout- 
ed, and  fled  to  the  very  walls  of  Fort  Maumee. 

No  intercourse  appears  to  have  existed  between  the  British 
garrison  and  the  savages  while  Gen.  Wayne  remained  in  the 
neighborhood  of  die  fort.  During  the  whole  period  of  the  ac- 
tion the  gates  were  shut,  and  the  FiUgiish  gazed  with  apparent 
imconcern  upon  the  surrounding  slaughter.  After  the  Indians 
had  retreaud,  Gen  Wayne  devastated  the  fields  and  burned 
the  bui'ding',  some  of  which  were  under  the  very  battlements 
of  the  fort.  In  the  general  conflagration,  the  liouse  of  Col. 
McKoe,  who  was  believed  to  have  exercised  a  great  influence 
ill  stimulating  t!ie  barbarity  of  the  savages,  was  destroyed.  la 


wm 


n 


IGO 


niSTO/lY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


(   ( 


consequence  of  these  acts  of  devastation,  a  bellioerent  corre- 
spondence took  place  Letu'cen  Major  Campbell;  the  IJritish 
comman<lant,and  Gen.  Wayne  ;  but  owing  to  the  forbearance 
ot  the  uencral,  who  answered  by  mere  remonstrance,  no  attack 
was  made  ,ipon  the  American  forces  by  the  crarrison      The 
hostility  of  the  British,  however,  was  carried  so  far,  that  (Jene- 
ral  Wayne,  m  bis  official  report  of  his  victory  at  the  Maumoe 
al  cges  that  a  detachment  of  militia  from  Detroit  was  associat- 
ed and  ionght  whh  the  Indians.     It  is  also  well  known  that  a 
Mi:  teimth,  the  clerk  of  the  Court  at  Detroit,  was  at  the  head 
of  a  company  which  fought  against  the  Americans,  and  was 
killed  ni  the  saiue  action.'     The  Indians,  doubtless,  re-rarded 
the  conduct  of  the  Llnglish  in  this  matter  with  dissatisfaction, 
as  tliey  had  looked  upon  the  fort,  in  case  of  extremity,  as  the 
last  rekigo  ;   and  this  fact  isdeducible  from  the  speech  which 
was  made  by  Tecumseh  to  Gen.  Proctor  in  1813  after  ihe  vic- 
tory of  Commodore  Perry  upon  Lake  Erie. 

Gen.  Wayne,  on  tlic  morning  before  his  army  made  i(s 
movement  back  towards  Fort  Defiance,  having  paraded  his 
force  so  that  the  enemy  uiight  view  its  strength,  advanced 
with  his  stair  toward  the  glacis  of  the  British  post,  and  rocon- 
noitredit  with  the  utmost  deliberation.     As  they  approached 
It  they  beheld  the  soldiers  of  the  garrison  prepared  with  match- 
es lighted,  and  standing  armed  fbr  any  emergency  at  tlieir 
gnus.     The  party  of  Gen.  Wayne,  >vhile  standino-  „oar  the 
lort,  overheard  one  of  the  subordinate  otiicers  of  the  British 
appealing  to  the  commandant,  Major  Campbell,  for  permission 
to  revenge  this  insulting  parade  before  the  British  guns  hv 
firing  upon  the  American  force.    The  American  General  was. 
however,  permuted  to  retire  without  any  attack,  and  to  ad- 
vaiice  by  easy  marches  toward  Fort  Defiance.     On  his  way 
he  destroyed  the  Indian  corn-helds  which  were  spread  over  the 
fertile  bottom  lands  of  the  Maumee,  presuming  that  famine 
would  be  a  powerful  argument  in  the  savage  mind  in  procur- 
ing a  pacific  termination  of  the  war.     Gen.  Wayne  moved  up 
the  Miami  River  to  the  old  Maumee  towns,  wh.re  he  builf 
Fort  Wayne,  having  left  Major  Hunt  in  command  at  l-\,rt  Dc- 

»  Wliiting's  Discoiirso. 


SKTTLEMENTS     IN     MICHIGAN. 


161 


•  fiance.  Thence  he  proceeded  to  Greenville  with  the  body  of 
his  army,  Col.  Hamtramck  remaining  at  the  post  which  he 
had  last  constructed.  This  campaign  had  continued  about 
three  months,  and  the  Indians  were  most  signally  overthrown. 
The  defeat  of  the  Indians  also  demolished  the  insidious  pro- 
jects of  the  British  Government,  and  military  posts  of  great 
importance  were  established  on  the  ground  which  had  before 
been  occupied  by  the  Indians. 

The  social  progress  of  Michigan  for  a  long  period  is  not 
marked  by  those  exciting  facts  which  give  coloring  and  in- 
terest to  tiio  historic  page.     The  solitary  and  silent  advance 
of  emigration  along  the  rivers  of  a  remote  and  howling  wil- 
derness exhibits  but  a  dead  level  of  unexciting  circumstances. 
It  IS  well  known,  that  soon  after  the  extinguishment  by  Great 
Britain  to  the  French  possessions  in  North  America  by  the 
treaty  of  Paris  in  17G3,  tlie  then  monarch  of  England  issued 
a  proclamation  forbidding  further  extinguishment  of  title  to 
Indian  lands.     Notwithstanding  this  positive  order,  the  sub- 
jects of  that  king  continued  to  make  pvwchases  and  settle- 
ments within  the  prescribed  bounds.     Trie  substance  of  the 
scUlements  which  were  made  within  the  territory  of  Michi- 
gan for  a  period  of  forty  years  may  now  be  ascertained.     In 
1765  Patrick  Sinclair,  a  British  officer,  and  commandant  of 
Fort  Sinclair,  purchased  ofthelnlians  about  four  thousand 
acres  of  land  lying  on  that  river,  called,  in  honor  of  the  com- 
mandant, the  River  Sinclair.    I.uke  St.  Glair  derived  its  name 
liom  a  different  oflicer,  who  was  m  the  French  service.     Sin- 
clair remained  in  possession  about  seventeen  years,  acquiring- 
great  advantage  from  the  use  of  the  land  as  a  j)inery,  and  then 
sold  it  to  a  Canadian,  whence  it  was  handed  down  to  its  pre- 
sent proprietors,  who  are  in  possession  of  valuable  improve- 
ujents.     In  1771  seven  Canadians  made  a  purchase  of  about 
two  thousand  acres  "on  the  strait  called  Detroit,  below  the 
town  of  Detroit ;"  and  Henry  Basset,  an  officer  in  tlie  British 
service,  and  at  that  time  commandant  of  the  post  at  Detroit 
imdertook  to  confirm  the  purchase.     In  (77r)  Pierre  Francois 
Combe  purchased  about  four  thousand  acres  on  La  Riviere  a 

21 


1*1 


H 


•it 


162 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


I'Ecorce,  and  soon  after  established  upon  it  a  settlement/ — 
During  tiie  same  year  William    Macomb  purchased  of  the 
Indians  the  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  Detroit,  called 
Grosse  Isle.       That  purchase  embraced   also  an  adjacent 
island,  called  Limestone  Island,  from  the  fact  of  its  possess- 
ing a  valuable  limestone  quarry.     In  1806  there  were  ten 
tenants  on  the  first-named  island,  and  it  contained  more  than 
six  thousand  acres  of  land.    In  1779  a  Canadian  purchased 
from  the  Pottavvatamie,  Chebois,  and  Ottawa  tribes  about  eight 
thousand  acres  on  Otter  Creek ;  and  in  1780  another  Canadian 
purchased  about  six  thousand  acres  on  Sandy  Creek.     He 
conveyed  this  tract,  about  twelve  years  after,  to  actual  settlers, 
and  the  second  year  following  this  sale  settlements  were  made 
on  the  preceding  purchase.    During  the  same  year  three  settle- 
ments, were  added  to  the  seven  which  had  been  made  in  1771 
upon  the  strait.     During  that  same  year  thirty-eight  settle- 
ments were  made  on  the  River  Rouge,  and  four  at  Pointe  au 
Tremble.     In  1782  there  were  nineteen  settlers  added  to  the 
tract  of  Patrick  Sinclair,  and  in  1783  twenty  settlements  were 
made  on  Lake  St.  Clair.    In  1784  a  small  body  of  Canadians 
settled  on  the  River  Raisin,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  French 
Town.  In  1785  four  settlers  were  added  to  those  at  Pointe  au 
Tremble.  In  1786  Francois  Pepin  purchased  about  three  thou- 
sand acres  on  Rock  River,  and  that  tract  has  since  been  vastly 
improved.    During  the  same  year  William  Macomb  acquired 
L'Isle  a  Cochon,  or  Hog  Island,  which  lies  in  the  strait,  by  a 
purchase  from  George  McDougall.     This  island  had,  up  to 
the  year  1764,  been  appended  by  the  French  to  the  Detroit 
garrison.      In  1788  twenty  settlements  were  made  on  the 
Huron  River,  and  Gabriel  Godfrey  purchased  the  same  quan- 
tity with  Francois  Pepin  on  the  Rock  River.     In  1790  a  few 
emigrants  were  added  to  the  settlemants  at  Pointe  au  Trem- 
ble, and  in  1792  two  settlements  were  added  to  those  on  La 
Riviere  a  I'Ecorce,  and  a  body  of  Canadians  settled  durino-  the 
same  year  upon  Sandy  Creek.     In  the  year  1793  a  considera- 
ble addition  was  made  to  the  settlements  on  the  River  Huron, 

♦  See  Note  ti,  at  the  end  of  this  volume. 


SETTLEMENTS    IN    MICHIGAN. 


163 


and  in  the  following  year  the  settlement  on  the  River  Ecorce 
was  considerably  increased,  and  ..  large  body  of  emigrants  set- 
tled on  Otter  Cr6-ek.    In  the  year  1797  a  large  number  of  Ca- 
nadian families  established  themselves  on  what  is  called  Milk 
River,  and  in  the  region  of  country  north  of  that  stream  ;  and 
during  the  same  and  the  following  year,  the  settlements  along 
the  River  Rouge  and  La  Riviere  a  I'Ecorce  were  considera- 
bly anniented.     In  the  year  1800  four  settlers  were  added  to 
the  establishments  on  the  river  Hnron,  and  during  the  same  and 
the  subsequent  year  six  families  were  added  to  the  settlements 
on  the  River  Sinclair.     In  1801  claims  were  also  urged  to  the 
property  of  a  salt  spring  in  that  region.     This  is  the  substance 
of  the  settlements  which  were  made  in  the  territ.>.y  of  Michi- 
gan previous  to  the  organization  of  the  Territorial  Govern- 
ment.    The  subjoined  table,  exhibiting  them       chronologi- 
cal order,  was  drawn  up  by  Augustus  B.  Woodward,  Chtef 
Justice  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  and  sets  forth  the  settle- 
ments in  the  territory  in  a  more  condensed  and  accurate  form. 
It  was  contained  in  a  report  from  the  Governor  and  presiding 
Judge  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  made  in  1806,  relative  to 
the  state  of  that  Territory. 

A  chronological  Table,  exhibiting  t/ie  settlements  in  the 
Territory  of  Michigan. 


IWe  of  the  Set- 
tlements. 

1763. 
1765. 
1771. 
1776. 


1779. 
1780. 


Geogra;  hical  position  of  the 
Settlements. 

Detroit  or  the  Strait, 
La  Riviere  de  Sinclair, 
Detroit  or  the  Strait, 
La  Riviere  a  I'Ecorce, 
La  Grosselsle, 
La  Crique  aux  Loutres 
La  Criqne  a  Sable, 
Detroit   or  the  Strait 
La  Riviere  Rouge, 
Pointe  au  Tremble, 


Whether      No.  of  farms, 
withm  the        or  distinct 
American  title.  Settlements. 


Within 

Without 

Within 

Within 

Within 

Without 

Within 

Within 

"Within 

Doubtful 


77. 

1. 

7. 
10. 
10. 

1. 

1. 

3. 
38. 

4. 


\ 


II  jl 


i 


164 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN 


1782.  La  Riviere  de  Sinclair, 

1783.  Lake  St.  Clair, 

1784.  La  Riviere  aux  Raisins, 

1785.  Pointe  au  Trembl6, 

1786.  La  Riviere  aux  Roche, 

L'Isle  a  Coclion, 

1788.  lia  Riviere  aux  Huroiis, 

La  Riviere  aux  Roches, 

1790.  Pointe  au  Tremble, 

1792.  La  Riviere  a  I'Ecorce, 

La  Crique  a  Sable, 

1793.  La  Riviere  aux  Hurons, 

1794.  La  Riviere  a  I'Ecorce, 

La  Crique  aux  Loutros, 

1797.  La  Riviere  au  Lait, 

La  Riviere  a  I'Ecorce, 

1798.  La  Riviere  Rouge, 

1800.  La  Riviere  aux  Hurons, 

1801.  La  Riviere  de  Sinclair, 

The  Salt  Springs, 


Without 

19. 

Doubtful 

20. 

Both 

121. 

Doubtful 

4. 

Within 

2. 

Within 

1. 

Without 

20. 

Within 

1. 

Doubtful 

4. 

Within 

2. 

Within 

15. 

Without 

10. 

Within 

3. 

Without 

22. 

Doubtful 

30. 

Within 

2. 

Within 

5. 

Without 

4. 

Without 

6. 

Doubtful 

1. 

442. 


In  this  table  the  titles  and  claims  in  the  town  or  city  of  De- 
troit are  omitted.  The  population  comprising  these  settlements 
were,  for  the  most  part,  Canadian  French,  and  they  spread  them- 
selves along  the  banks  of  the  more  eligible  streams,  where  t^e 
mouldering  ruins  of  some  of  their  ancient  cottage  now  re- 
main. The  French,  relying  on  other  sources  of  j  lofit,  still 
gave  little  attention  to  the  productive  and  solid  pursuits  of 
agriculture,  and  the  exhausted  farms  of  the  early  emigrants 
scattered  a'ong  the  banks  of  the  rivers  which  have  been  men- 
tioned exhibit  a  want  of  careful  and  scientific  husbandry. 
The  titles  to  the  several  tracts  enumerated,  as  well  as  others, 
rested  on  an  unsound  basis.  The  grants  which  constituted 
their  claims,  had  issued  from  the  French  and  British  Go- 
vernments, as  well  as  from  unauthorized  grantors,  subjects  of 
those  nations,  and  from  the  Indians ;  and  it  became  a  nice 


,       <|:       IP- 


PROJECT    OF    RANDALL    AND    WHITNEY. 


165 


fDe- 

lents 
hem- 
e  tAe 
V  re- 
still 
ts  of 
rants 
meu- 
idry, 
hers, 
tuted 
Go- 
:ts  of 
nice 


legal  question   how  far  these  grants  ought  to  be  connrmed  to 
the  occupants  i>y  the  Ciovcrnment  of  the  United  State. 

Before  tin-  oxen  i  ion  of  Jay's  treaty,  a  project  vvas  devised 
between  '  fc  adventurers  of  the  states,  and  a  numbtr 

of  merchant-,  and  traders  of  Detroit,  which,  had  it  succeeded, 
would  have  produced  great  injury  to  Michigan.  In  1795 
^  ibcrt  Randall  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Charles  Whitney  of 
ermont,  were  taken  into  custody  by  the  House  for  an  un- 
warrantable attempt  to  corrupt  the  integrity  of  its  members. 
Randall  had  visited  Detroit  in  pursuit  of  some  object  in 
which  he  had  failed,  and  he  soon  adopted  a  comprehensive 
plan  to  impr'M'o  his  fortune.  In  connexion  with  Charles 
Whitney  an<  ther  individual,  he  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment with  seven  merchants  residing  at  or  near  Detroit, 
through  which  the  parties  bound  ti.emselves  to  obtain  a  pre- 
emption right  from  the  Unied  States  of  a  certain  territory 
therein  defined,  which  was  to  be  purchased  from  the  Indian?. 
The  tract  contained,  it  i  supposed,  nearly  twenty  millions  of 
acres,  and  was  embraced  by  Lakes  Erie,  Huron,  and  Michi- 
gan. It  vvas  given  in  evidence  before  Congress  that  Randall 
and  Whitney  had  unfolded  to  several  members  their  scheme, 
and  by  this  it  appeared  that  the  territory  was  to  be  divided 
into  forty-one  shares,  five  of  which  were  to  belong  to  the 
traders  of  Detroit,  who  were  parties  to  the  agreement,  six 
were  to  be  appropriated  to  Randall  and  his  coadjutors,  and 
the  rest  were  to  be  divided  among  tlie  members  of  Congress 
who  might  give  their  influence  to  the  measure.  The  amount 
proposed  to  be  paid  for  the  right  to  make  this  purchase  was 
from  u  half  to  a  million  of  dollars.  These  merchants,  it  was 
maintained,  exercised  so  great  influence  over  the  Indians  as 
to  make  an  advantageous  purchase  practicable.  It  was 
maintained,  in  opposition  to  this  measure,  that  there  was  a 
bar  in  the  fact  that  the  treaty  gave  an  exclusive  pre-emption 
right  to  the  United  States.  But  it  was  urged  on  the  other 
side,  that  the  Indians  were  dissatisfied  with  this  treaty,  and 
would  not  be  bound  by  it ;  and  that  this  plan  would,  by  ap- 
peasing the  savages,  restore  tranquillity  to  the  coimtry.  Hav- 
ing been  brought  before    the    House,  Whitney  was  dis- 


I 


i.  i 


.Ai 


elk 


IMAGE  EVALUATJON 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^ 

1^ ~ 

^       ■"0 


IM  lllili 


[Z2 

IM 

1.8 


i^  11 1.6 


166 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


discharged,  while  Randall  received  a  public  reprimand,  and 
was  obliged  to  pay  the  fees  which  had  accrued  in  the  trial  of 
his  cause.* 

During  the  year  1794,  Detroit  and  French  Town  were  the 
principal  settlements  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  peninsula  of 
Michigan.  Detroit  was  included  in  picKets,  and  was  a  ge- 
neral depot  of  the  fur  trade.  The  population  was  comprised 
of  Scotch,  French,  and  English  merchants,  all  connected 
with  the  trade,  beside  the  military  force  which  was  there  sta- 
tioned. The  goods  used  in  this  traffic  were  transported  in 
canoes  from  duebec ;  and  bills  of  credit,  for  sm.all  surns^  were 
permitted  to  be  issued  by  the  merchants,  payable  annually  at 
Quebec  or  Montreal,  on  the  condition  of  their  giving  security 
in  double  the  amount  of  their  value. 

French  Town  consisted  only  of  a  few  log  cabins,  inhabited 
by  the  French  bordering  both  banks  of  the  River  Raisin,  and 
with  the  surrounding  land  enclosed  with  pickets.  The  first 
American  settler  was  established  at  that  place  in  1793 
and  a  Catholic  chapel  was  soon  erected  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  French.  A  narrow  path  ran  along  the  bank,  and 
bordered  the  French  plantations.  Two  Indian  villages,  that 
of  the  Ottavi'as  and  Pottawatamies,  formerly  occupied  that 
point ;  while  that  of  the  Hurons  was  established  at  Browns- 
town.  '  A  depot  of  the  fur  trade  for  the  North-western  Com- 
pany, for  a  long  period  it  was  made  the  concentrating  point 
for  the  surrounding  Indians,  who  were  constantly  repairing 
to  the  village  in  order  to  exchange  their  furs  for  blankets,  red 
cloth,  silver  ornaments,  arms  and  ammunition.  It  is  a  some- 
what singular  fact  that  money  was  refused  by  the  traders  for 
goods,  and  the  Frenchmen  were  required  to  bring  in  produce 
in  exchange  for  them,  which  was  transported  to  the  Upper 
Lakes  for  the  use  of  the  fur  companies. 

This  most  decisive  campaign  of  Gen.  Wayne  disheartened 
the  savages,  as  well  as  thg  British  Government.  Their 
hordes  soon  dispersed,  and  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  made  in 
August,  1795,  terminated  for  a  time  the  troubles  of  the  fi-ou- 

♦  Discourse  of  Henry  Whiting  before  ihe  Historical  Society  of  Michigan. 


SURRENDER   OF    THK    I'OSTS. 


167 


tier.  Tlie  posts  of  Mackinaw  and  Detroit  were  evacuated 
after  the  wells  of  the  latter  station  had  been  filled  with  stones, 
the  windows  broken,  the  gates  of  the  fort  locked,  and  the 
keys  deposited  with  an  aged  negro,  in  whose  possession  they 
were  afterwards  found.  These  were,  however,  soon  garrison- 
ed by  detachments  from  Wayne's  army,  aid  in  1796  Captain 
Porter  first  raised  the  American  banner  upon  the  soil  of  Mi- 
chigan. 

We  have  thus  traced,  in  a  brief  way,  the  condition  of  Mi- 
chigan under  the  French,  and  its  transfer  to  the  British  Go- 
vernment ;  and  now  a  new  power  sprang  up  on  the  land. 
Tha  succession  of  its  changes  shows  us  the  mortality  of 
empires  as  well  as  of  men.  They  rise  before  us  like  the 
pageantry  of  a  theatre ;  scene  after  scene  opens  upon  us 
with  all  the  array  of  human  passions,  the  curtain  falls,  they 
sink  from  our  sight,  and  another  is  now  spread  out  under 
the  auspices  of  a  Republic. 


I ' 


n 


H 


1 


f',i 


'i 
■  \ 


t» 


f 


'  f 

I 


I!;    J 


CHAPTER  X. 


Condition  of  Michigan  after  the  aunrender  of  the  posts— The  Territory  of  Mi- 
chigan erected — Gen.  Hull  appointed  Governor — Detroit  destroyed  by  fire 

Administration  oF  the  Law—Indian  Confederation  upon  the  Laiies  under 
Tecumseh— Speech  of  Le  Marquoit— Speech  of  Walk  in  the  Water  and 
o'her  Wyandot^— Mfimorial  from  Michigan  to  the  General  Government- 
Population  in  ISll— Hostility  of  the  Savages— Land  Office  established— In- 
dian Treaties — Operations  on  the  Wabash. 

Michigan  having^  been  surrendered  to  the  United  States, 
in  common  with  the  other  portions  of  *he  north-western  ter- 
ritory, it  came  immediately  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  or- 
dinance of  1787.  At  that  period  it  was  populated  chiefly  by 
the  French  and  English,  and  their  sparse  settlements  were 
confined  to  the  banks  of  the  principal  streams,  and  to  the 
military  establishments  and  trading  posts  along  the  Lakes. 
But  few  American  settlers  had  at  that  time  emigrated  from 
the  east,  excepting  those  belonging  to  the  forL.  The  land 
itself,  the  basis  of  controversy  between  the  savages  and  the 
United  States,  removed  from  the  more  densely  populated 
parts  of  the  country,  presented  but  few  of  the  means  and 
motives  for  emigration  and  settlement ;  and  that  'gorous 
enterprise,  which  is  now  acting  on  the  soil  under  the  influ- 
ence of  well-organized  institutions,  was  then  unknown. 

But  the  jealousy  which  existed  on  the  part  of  the  English 
at  the  rich  conquest  which  had  been  effected  by  American 
arms,  soon  tended  to  sow  discord  among  the  Indian  tribes. 
The  argument  which  was  urged  for  that  object,  was  the  same 
which  had  been  used  against  the  English  by  the  French, 
namely,  that  it  was  the  design  of  the  American  Government 
to  overrun  the  country  and  drive  the  Indians  from  their  land. 
There  is  little  connected  with  the  progress  of  the  country 
like  that  which  belongs  to  densely  settled  states.  There  are 
no  records  of  growth,  r:7riculture,  and  navigation.  Roads 
had  not  been  constructed,  cities  had  not  been  built.    The 


TERRITORY    OP    MICHIOAN    ERECTED.  169 

greater  part  of  its  domain  was  "  fro.*,  untouched,  unbounded 
mag:n,ficen.  ,„  dcrness,"  excepting  the  linle  cleanngs  around 
the  villages    the  scattered  French  settlements,  tl,;  tradin<. 
posts  and  the  forts,  a  battle  ground  of  rival  and  z  Z! 
powers,  ,.raspmg  at  the  dominion  of  the  country.     The  fi 
governor  of  tl,,,.  north-western  territory,  as  we  have  befo^ 
remarlted,  was  Arthur  St.  Clair,  who  was  therefore  theflra 
Amertcan   mag.strate   under  which  .Michigan   was   piacS 
Thts  part  of  the  north-western  territory  w.as,   howcve     the 
mere  outslcrt  of  that  wide  extent  of  jurisdicti'on,  the  c  m7a 
r      of  whose  government  was  first  at  Marietta  and  af 
terwards  at  Cincinnati      The   population   was  so     t  " 

year  1,.,S,  the  north-western   territory  assutned  the  second 
grade  of  terntorial  government ;  „„d  the  territory  of  MiCZ 
as  afterwards  established,  comprised  a  single  county  „C 
rntory,  the  County  of  Wayne,     T^  ,he„  sent  one  Tepre    „ 
ta  ,ve  ,0  the  general  assembly  of  ,he  north-western  tefritorv 

made   m   Mielngau   under  the   American  Government     A 
court  of  Common  Pl.as  was  established,  and  the  general    „u„ 

L  80"Te"r'"",'"''"^  -as  sometimes  held  a,  Detroit 
In  1802  the  peninsular  portion  was  annexed  to  the  territory 
of  Indiana,  by  the  act  of  Congress  which  authorized  Z 
erection  nito  a  State  of  that  par,  of  the  north-westeri  ,e  r" 
lory  xdnchconstmites  Ohio.  The  people,  military  i„  their 
habitudes  of  mind,  had  neither  means  nor  the  iucliuatio  ,  to 
devote  themselves  to  a,,  iculn.re  ;  and  the  commercial  op  r 

On  he  11th  of  .January,  1811.9,  Michigan  was  erected  into  a 
separate  territory  by  act  of  Congress.     The  government  was 

jJdtX"r.n  ™.:::'""''' "'° ""'-' '- "" """"  ">"  •■» 

Solamon  Sibley,      Chri.li.n  Olcmer,,      J.„.,  H„„,j.,      coi  H„„, 

D  err'"'  '™  "*•"■'".  Kiij..  B„,.i,  ■  It'  !.„*„ 

Jo"™^"*"  Legislative  Council,  Sept.  7.  1820. 


1  li 


170 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


h 


ill 


wliicli  had  been 


ordained  to  be  established  on  the  p 
scribed  by  the  ordinance  of  1787,  The  Ico^islative  power 
was  to  be  vested  in  the  governor  and  judges,  who  were  au- 
thorized to  adopt  and  pubUsh  its  laws  from  the  codes  of  the 
original  States  ;  and  William  Hull  was  appointed  governor  ot 
this  territory,  and  also  Indian  agent,  which  was  tlion  embo- 
died in  the  office  of  executive  magistrate.  This  appointment 
was  made  under  the  administration  of  Jefferson.  On  the  second 
Tuesday  in  July,  1805,  the  oaths  of  office  were  administered 
to  the  several  officers  of  the  territory,  and  on  that  day  Michi- 
gan commenced  its  governmental  operations.  This  was,  how- 
ever, done  under  unfavorable  circumstances.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  11th  of  June,  the  Toicn  of  Detroit  had  been  des- 
troyed by  fire.  It  then  covered  only  two  acres  of  ground. 
The  buildings  were  closely  compacted,  with  narrow  streets  ot 
only  fourteen  or  fifteen  feet  wide  ;  and,  as  a  matter  of  defence 
against  tho  Indians,  the  village  was  environed  with  stn  iig 
and  solid  pickets.  The  houses  being  so  closely  built,  and 
comprised  of  combustible  materials,  were  soon  swept  away 
by  the  conflagration  ;  and  when  the  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment arrived,  they  found  the  body  of  the  people  encamped 
housely  on  the  public  grounds  within  the  vicinity  of  tlip 
town,  while  some  had  taken  refuge  in  the  neighboring  coun- 
try on  both  banks  of  the  Detroit  River.  Some  houses  had, 
however,  been  re-erected  on  the  old  site,  and  it  was  made  the 
object  of  the  new  government  to  direct  the  attention  ot 
Congress  to  the  distressed  condition  of  the  people.  Courts 
were  organized.  A  judicial  sys'  .n  was  establishc  and  the 
territorial  militia  was  disciplined  and  brought  into  tlie  field. 
The  attention  of  Congress  was  also  called  to  the  land  claims 
which  were  made  by  the  settlers,  founded  on  occupancy,  or 
grants  under  the  French  and  English  Governments.  On 
October  10th,  1805,  a  report  was  made  of  the  affairs  of  the 
territory  and  forwarded  to  Congress,  and  in  May,  1806,  the 
first  code  of  laws  was  adopted  and  published  for  the  territory 
of  Michigan,  which  was  called  the  "Woodward  Code." 
This  code  was  signed  by  Governor  Hull,  and  Augustus  B. 
Woodward  and  Frederick  Bates,  the  judges  of  the  territory. 


TERUITORY    OF   MICHIGAN    ERECTED.  171 

The  bounds  of  the  territorial  government  embraced  all 
that  country  on  the  American  side  of  the  Detroit  River  east 
of  a  north  and  south  line  drawn  through  the  centre  of  l,ako 
Michigan. 

The  records  of  the  court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Wavho 
County,  Detroit,  in  the  north-western  territory,  in  1788  ex- 
hibit singular  facts,  which  denote  a  crude  and  ill-organized 
Irame  of  jurisprudence. 

On  Saturday,  the  10th  of  December,  the  court  was  opened 
by  proclamation  of  the  governor,  and  the  commission  of  the 
judges  and  other  officers  was  read,  namely,  Louis  Beaufait, 
Esq  senior  justice;  James  May,  Charles  Gerardin,  Patrick 
McNiif,  Nathaniel  Williams,  Esq.,  justices  associates;  Geor-e 
M  Dougall,  Esq.,  sheriff.  The  verdict  given  at  these  counts 
was  frequently  that  the  defendant  shall  give  to  the  plaintiff 
—  day's  work,  without  any  other  pay  than  his  victuals  ;  and 
another  verdict  of  the  jurors  was,  that  the  plaintiff  was  to  re- 
ceive his  wood  at  the  landing. 

During  the  March  term  of  the  Common  Pleas  in  1799 
Judges  Louis  Beaufait,  James  May,  and  Charles  Gerardin' 
being  present  in  the  case  of  James  Abbot  &  Sons  : 

Tavid  vs.  Powers,  (Attorney)  exception  was  taken  to  tlie 
proceedings  of  the  court  by  the  attorney  for  defendant  on 
the  ground  that  the  court  wus  under  duresse.     Detroit  was 
at  that  time  garrisoned,  and  Lieutenant  Col.  Strono-    then 
commandant  of  the  fort,  had  placed  a  centinel  at  the  door 
The  court  was  then  held  in  a  private  house.     The  court 
It   IS  alleged,   were   very  much  hurt   at  the   fact ;   and   a 
letter  was  addressed  to  the  acting  commandant,  requesting 
that  the  centmel  might  be  removed.     This  letter,  howeve? 
was  returned  unanswered.     After  a  long  consultation,  ex- 
amination, and  arguments  as  to  the  fact  of  what  constituted 
duresse,  what  door  mignt  be  considered  the  court-house  door 
and  the  measure  of  restraint  which  the  centinel  had  upon  tho' 
minds   of  the  judges,   certain    formal    questions  were  pro- 
pounded to  the  attorney  then   acting  for  the  county   of 
Wayne,  by  the  justices  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  the 


172 


HrSVORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


W,     11 


county  of  Wayne,  on  which  he  was  nquired  to  give  on  an- 
swer. 

1.  Do  you  know  by  wha.  authority  the  sentinel  is  placed 
at  the  back  door  of  the  house  where  the  court  is  now  sifting  / 

2.  Do  you  consider  this  being  placed  there  an  obstructioa 
to  justice  being  administered  ? 

3.  Are  the  jud;,res  of  the  court  liable  to  indictment  for 
holding  the  court  in  this  house  while  the  sentinel  stands 
there ;  and  do  you  consider  it  as  under  duresse? 

4.  Do  you  consider  that  the  causes  which  are  determined 
in  this  court,  while  the  sentinel  stands  there,  will  be  legal  ? 

Answer  to  the  fust  question,  That  the  sentinel  is  placed  at 
the  door  of  M.  Dodemead  by  Lieut.  Col.  Strong,  command- 
ing the  U.  S.  regiment  at  the  post  of  Detroit,  in  order  to  pre- 
v(;nt  all  soldiers  and  followers  of  the  U.  S.  army  subject  to 
military  law  from  entering  the  house  to  purchase  liquor. 

As  to  the  second  question,  it  was  determined  that  the  sen- 
tinel was  placed  at  the  door  of  M.  Dodemeads,  and  not  at  the 
door  of  the  court-house. 

As  to  the  third  question,  it  was  answered  that  duresse  was 
a  matter  which  divided  its  into  two  parts.  First,  duresse  , 
iind  second,  the  consequences  attending  thereon.  First,  du- 
resse is  a  matter  of  law,  so  far  as  to  judge  what  is  duresse  and 
what  not.  Should  the  fact  exist  that  the  court  held  its  ses- 
sion under  duresse,  they  would  undoubtedly  be  subject  to  iu- 
dictment  on  information,  and  punished  by  the  general  court 
therefor. 

Answer  to  the  fourth  question.  The  town  of  Detroit  has 
long  been  a  garrisoned  town,  with  sentinels  placed  at  the  se- 
veral gates  thereof.  There  have  been  divers  courts  held 
therein  within  the  lines  of  sentinels.  To  give  an  opinion 
upon  the  last  question,  would,  in  my  humble  opinion,  call  in 
question  the  legality  of  the  proceedings  of  all  courts  held  in 
this  place.*    Before  I  gave  an  opinion  of  such  magnitude  to 

*  Among  other  tilings  atftached,  as  appears  of  record  in  the  June  term  of  the 
Court  of  Comn,on  Pleas  in  1800,  are  the  following  :_the  property  of  Isaac 
W.llmms,  1  sword,  IC  scalping  Lnives,  1  silver-mounted  whip,  4  volumes Black- 
8t«ne,  4  volumes  Burn'a  justice,  I  Bailey's  Breech,,,  1  barrel  spirits,  2  silk 


COURT    UNDER    THE    N,  W.    TERRITORY,  I73 

the  interests  of  the  citizens  of  the  County  of  Wnyne  I 
must  obtaui  further  information,  both  from  ti>e  law  as  weli'as 
the  gentlemen  of  the  bar,* 

To  the  Hon.  Court  of  Common  ) 
Pleas  of  the  County  of  Wayne.   ) 
In  order  to  provide  for  those  who  had  suffered  from  the 
conflagration  of  Detroit,  Cotic^ress  passed  an  act  in  1806  au- 
thorizmg  the  governor  and  judges  of  the  territory  of  MichicrMn 
to  lay  out  a  town,  including  the  old  town  of  Detroit  and  "ten 
thousand  acres  of  the  adjoining  land,  with  the  exception  of 
the  traa  to  be  reserved  for  military  purposes.     It  also  autho- 
rized any  three  of  the.n  to  hear  and  adjust  claims  to  any  lots 
therein,  and  to  grant  deeds  of  lots  not  exceeding  five  thou- 
sand square  leet,to  all  those.or  theirrepreseMtaiives,over  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  who  owned  or  inhabited  anv  dwellin<r-house 
in  Detrou  when  it  was  burned  ;  and  who  did'not,  at  that  tiu.e 
own  or  profess  allegiance  to  any  foreign  State.     All  the  land 
remaining  after  such  claims  were  satisfied,  was  to  be  sold  by 
the  governor  and  judges,  and  the  proceeds  to  be  devoted  to 
the  erection  of  a  new  court-house  and  jail,     A   that  period, 
however,  the  population  was  scarce;   and  was  comprised 
mamly  of  the  English  and  French,  and  the  few  emiarants 
who  had  hazarded  t!ie  dangers  of  the  wilderness  in  th'e  em- 
ployment of  the  government,  or  connected  with  the  military 
posts.     The  country  languished  because  there  was  little  mo- 
tive for  emigration  from  the  eastern  States,    The  Indian  title 
to  the  soil  had  not  been  generally  extinguished,  and  no  land 
was  brought  into  market.     There  was,  in  consequence,  little 
mducement  for  emigrants  to  remove  from  the  eastern  States 
to  forests  inhabited  by  savage  enemies,  and  provided  with 
but  weak  defences. 

The  territory  of  Michigan  had  been  scarcly  erected,  and 

gowns,  1  silk  petticoat,  1  full  riding  dress,  green  rnporfine  cloth,  19  Indian  shirts 
18  bunches  of  beads,  3  deer-horn  handle  scalping-knives,  red  satin  cloak,  capote' 
Dutch  oven,  4  pr.  white  corduroy  breeches,  24  raccoon  skins,  8  fox  and  cat  10 
deer  skins.  Id  bears  and  two  cubs,  3  muskrats,  and  a  pledge  by  Catherine 

JJuT".?'  ^^*^r",""''  •=°"^'^''"g°*" ''°"'-  "hrouds,  13  pr.  of  leggins,  1  shirt,  one 
Bilk  handkerchief,  1  pr.  gaiters,  1  pr.  moccasins,  and  II  hogs. 
*  See  Records  of  the  court  of  the  north-western  territoryr 


%■ 


174 


HISTORY    OP   MICHIGAN. 


American  institutions  organized  wi\iin  its  bounds,  when  a 
new  calamity  broke  out  in  another  quarter.     The  Indian  title 
had  bepn  extinguished  only  to  a  small  portion  of  the  soil,  and 
the  Indians  who  occupied  and  claimed  the  greater  part  of  the 
country  were  dissatisfied  at  the  inroads  which  were  made  by 
the  Americans  on  their  lands.     They  claimed  that  the  trea- 
ties which  had  been  effected  with  the  American  government 
were  conducted  on  unfair  grounds,  when  the  savages  were 
intoxicated  ;  that  they  were  deluded  in  the  construction  of 
these  treaties ;  and  that  they  had  not  the  consent  of  all  th«? 
tribes.      The  ageius  of  the  British  Government,  especially 
those  in  the  employ  of  the  North-west  Company,  were  also 
active  in  fomenting  the  jealousies  of  the  Indians  against  the 
United  States,     It  was  doubtless  the  policy  of  the  English  to 
wrest  the  country  from  the  hands  of  the  Americans,  in  order  to 
secure  to  themselves  the  advantages  of  the  territory.     For  the 
purpose  of  exciting  the  prejudices  of  the  Indians,  the  English 
traders  were  active  in  sowing  the  seeds  of  discontent  among 
their  tribes;  and  British  agents  in  disguise  were  despatched 
to  the  remotest  tribes  of  the  forest  to  secure  their  co-operation 
against  the  United  States.     Doubtless  the  spirit  of  land  job- 
bing existed  to  a  great  extent,  and  this  furnished  good  ground 
for  action.     It  was  p  point  insisted  on  by  the  Indians  that 
they  should  have  the  undisturbed  control  of  the  north-western 
lands,  without  surrendering  the  right  of  pre-emption  to  the 
United  States. 

The  British  were  not  wanting  in  savage  agents  to  carry  out 
their  projects  ;  and  at  this  juncture,  Tecumseh,  or  the  Tiger 
crouching  for  his  prey,  and  Ellshwatawa,  or  the  Prophet,  the 
twin  brother  of  Tecumseh,  sprang  forward  into  prominence. 
The  subordinate  chiefs  were  Myeerah,  or  Walk  in  the  Water, 
Round  Head,  and  Blue  Jacket.  Tecumseh  was  a  warrior  of 
the  Shawanesfi  tribe,  without  any  hereditary  claim  to  distinc- 
tion, a  seceder  from  the  legitimate  authority  of  his  nation,  the 
builder  up  of  his  own  fortune.  Although  equally  energetic 
and  determined,  and  a  more  desperate  warrior,  he  had  not 
the  imperial  and  overbearing  grandeur  of  Pontiac,  He  was 
an  open  and  avowed  hater  of  the  Americans,  and  was  deter- 


MICHIGAN    A    TERRITORY. 


175 


mined  in  his  opposition  to  the  advance  oftMs  nation  on  the 
Indian  domains  ;  and  perhaps  nrged  by  the  English   to  orf^a- 
nize  a  general  confederacy  against  the  United  States,  he  ado'pt- 
ed  tiie  same  argnments  for  that  object  which  had  before  been 
used  by  Pontiac.     The  Prophet  was  to  be  the  first  mover  of 
this  expedition,  which  was  directed  to  unite  in  a  general  con- 
federacy all  the  Indians  of  the  north-west,  against  the  progress 
of  American  settlements.  For  that  object,  the  same  superstition 
which  had  been  used  to  prevent  Jacques  Cartier  from  ascend- 
ing the  St.  Lawrence,  and  by  Pontiac,  in  17G3,  against  the 
Bruish,  was  called  in  aid  of  this  work.     As  early  as  1806  the 
Prophet,  like  Pontiac,  commenced  his  project.    It  was  affirmed 
that  lie  had  had  a  dream,  in  which  he  had  seen  the  Great 
Spirit,  and  that  he  v/as  made  his  agent  on  earth.     That  he 
had  been  directed  to  inform  the  Indians  to  throw  away  the 
arts  of  civilization,  and  to  resume  the  ancient  customs  of  their 
ancestors.     He  alleged  that  the  Americans  had  driven  the 
Indians  from  the  sea-coast,  and  wished  to  push  them  into  the 
lakes ;  that  they  were  to  take  a  stand  where  they  were,  and 
drive   them  to  the  other  side  of  the  Alleghany  Monntains 
War  belts  were  circulated  along  the  whole  chain  of  tribes  on 
the  north-western  lakes,  to  induce  them  to  join  in  this  great 
Indian  confederation.     Knowing  the  strong  influence  wTiich 
hereditary  rank  possesses  with  the  Indians,  it  was  also  affirmed 
that  the  Shawanese  were  the  oldest  tribe  on  earth  ;  and  that 
all  men,  both  Indians  and  English,  sprung  from  them. 

As  early  as  1807  the  efforts  to  organize  this  confederacy 
on  the  lakes  had  been  commenced,  and  the  fame  of  the 
Shawanese  Prophet  spread  like  the  wind  through  the  tribes  of 
the  north-west.  The  decline  of  the  Indian  power  was  con- 
sidered, the  advance  of  the  American  settlements  was  disput- 
ed,  and  the  minds  of  the  Anglo-savage  portion  of  the  Indians 
was  excited  to  desperate  action.  Agents  were  despatched 
from  the  head-quarters  of  the  Shawanese  to  the  Lake  Indians 
with  messages  and  belts  of  wampum.  On  the  4th  of  May  of 
that  year,  Le  Marquois  or  The  Trout,  an  Indian  warrior,  de- 
livered the  subjoined  speech  in  council  at  Maiouitonong,  near 
the  entrance  of  Lake  Superior,  which  purported  to  be  the  first 


f  (■ 


m 


m 


l;l 


1 

i 

,  ■ 

, 

:■ 

m 


r 


i     7 

'1 


IJ! 


176 


HISTORY   OP    MICniOAN. 


speech  from  tlio  first  man  whom  God  lind  created,  to  all  the 
Indiini  tribes,  suid  to  be  in  llio  Sluiwatiese  country. 

l^pccch  of  Le  Mavqunis. 

"I  am  tlic  father  of  the  Enj^lish,  of  the  Frencli,  of  the 
Spaniards,  and  of  the  Indians  ;  I  created  the  first  man,  wlio 
was  tlu!  common  father  of  all  tlicse  people,  as  well  as  your- 
selves; and  it  is  through  him  whom  I  have  awaked  from  fiis 
long  sle(  p  that  1  now  address  you.  Hut  the  Americans  I  did 
not  make.  They  are  not  my  children,  but  tiie  ehildreti  of 
the  Evil  Spirit.  They  grew  from  the  scum  of  the  great  water 
when  it  was  trouhled  by  the  Mvil  Spirit,  and  tlie  froth  was 
driven  into  the  woods  by  a  strong  east  wind.  They  arc  nu- 
merous ;  but  I  hate  them.  My  children,  you  must  not  speak 
of  this  talk  to  the  Whites;  it  miut  be  hidden  from  them.  I 
•Am  now  on  the  earth,  sent  by  the  Great  Spirit  to  instruct  you. 
Each  village!  must  send  me  two  or  more  principal  chiefs,  to 
represent  you,  that  you  may  be  taught.  The  bearer  ol  this  talk 
must  point  out  to  you  the  path  to  my  wigwams;  I  could  not 
come  mvself  to  l/Arbre  Croche,  because  the  world  is  changed 
from  what  it  was.  It  is  broken  and  leans  down  ;  and  as  it 
declines,  the  Chippewas  and  all  beyond  will  fall  off  and  die. 
Therefore  you  must  come  to  sec  me,  and  be  instructed. 
Those  villages  which  do  not  listen  to  this  talk,  and  send  me 
two  deputies,  will  be  cut  off  from  the  face  of  the  earth."* 

This  speech  was  sent  l)y  the  prop'  et,  -uid  a  deputation  of  the 
Ottawas  was  dispatched  to  convey  messages  and  wampum 
along  the  shores  of  I  <ake  Superior.  By  the  instigation  of  the 
Prophet  a  vast  body  of  the  Indians  from  the  shores  of  the 
lakes  crowded  to  the  Pro))het's  station  ;  and  it  is  estimated  that 
about  eight  lumdred  left  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  for  that 
quarter,  one  third  of  whom  died  on  their  way  from  want  and 
hardship.  The  comet  which  appeared  in  18U  was  made 
use  of  by  the  Prophet  to  advance  his  own  views,  and  to  ripen 
the  savages  for  the  last  great  struggle  which  they  were  to 
make — the  war  against  t'lo  Americans. 

The  subjoi'^ed  speecli  of  the  principal  chiefs  and  warriors 

*  American  State  Papers. 


MICHIGAN    A    TERRITORV. 


177 


of  the  Wynndots,  which  wns  delivered  to  Gen.  Hull  on  the 
'MMh  of  Sfjitumbor,  1809,  exhibits  the  dissatisfaction  of  the 
Indions  ut  the  execution  of  the  former  treaties. 

"  To  His  Excellency,  Governor  Hull. 

"  Fathkh  :  liisten  to  the  speech  of  you  children,  the  Wy- 
andots,  delivered  by  their  chiefs  and  warriors,  in  which  they 
let  you  know  their  sentiments. 

"Father,  listen :  for  we  speak  to  you  now,  to  let  you 
know  the  sentiments  of  our  minds.     Wo  thought  the  land 
we  resided  upon  wns  our  own  ;  formerly  our  old  chiefs,  who 
are  now  dead   and  scone,  made  a  great  promise  to   the  Great 
Spirit  above  that  they  never  would  move  from  the  land  we, 
their  children,  now  live  upon  and  occupy.     Father,  listen. 
You  informed  us  that  tlie  land  we  occupy  belonged  to  you.  At 
the  treaty  of  Greenville,  made  with  our  father.  General  V/ayne, 
he  promised  to  us  the  land  on  which  we  live  ;  and  for  that 
reason  we  never  will  consent  to  give  up  talking  upon  this  sub- 
ject.    Father,  listen  ;  you   will  remember  that  some  of  our 
principal  cliiefs  went  last  fall  to  visit  our  great  father,  the 
President  of  the  United  Slates.     Our  chiefs  were  very  sorry 
that  they  could  not  get  an  opportunity  to  talk  with  our  great 
father,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  personally. 

"  Father,  listen :  When  you  arrived  at  this  place  among 
your  children,  you  always  gave  your  children  good  advice  to 
cultivate  the  land.  Your  children  of  the  Wyandot  tribe  of 
Indians  have  followed  you  advice  to  their  great  benefit  and 
satisfaction.  Blither,  we  were  astoiUNlied  when  you  told  us 
that  there  was  a  small  tract  of  land  at  Brownstown  and 
Monguagon  for  our  use  for  lifty  years,  and  a  vacancy  in  the 
middle  between  the  two  villages. 

"  Father,  listen  to  what  your  children,  the  Wyandats, 
say.  This  small  tract  of  land  is  entirely  too  small  for  ns. 
What  will  become  of  our  cb'Idren  that  are  nowgrowino-  up? 
Father,  listen  ;  you  have  cut  off  from  us  the  best  part  of  our 
land.  Your  children,  the  principal  chiefs,  the  old  warriors, 
head  warriors,  with  some  of  our  sensible  young  men  of  the 
Wyandot  nation,  request  you  to  grant  them  the  following  fa- 

23 


I 


■i 


^ih 


\A 


f  . 


'  y 


;ii 


t 


IX 


,  mu 


li     I 


ft  I 


h)   > 


!  r 


[It* 


.if 


^'! 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

vor,— that  the  boundary  of  our  lauds  should  commence  at 
a  small  run,  about  half  a  mile  from  Walk  in  the  Water's 
dwelhng-house,  on  the  north-east  side,  to  run  from  thence 
along  the  Detroit  River  untU  it  crosses  the  River  Huron,  for 
one  mile,  that  is,  the  River  Huron  beyond  Brownstown  to 
the  south-west,  thence  to  extend  back  to  the  United  States' 
purchase  on   a  line  established  by  the  treaty  of  Detroit ; 
beyond  which  to  Rocky  River  we  will  for  ever  ai)andon  fur- 
ther claim.     Fa.her,  you  know  there  is  a  bed  of  land  be- 
tween the  two  villages.     The  chiefs  of  the  ^A  yaudots  and  sen- 
sible young  men  of  our  nation  vn.shyou  to  let  them  have  that 
bed  of  land  which  lies  between  the  two  villages.     Father, 
the  reason  why  your  children  like  this  bed  of  land  so  well  is' 
they  have  made  valuable  improvements  thereon,  which  have 
cost  them,  both  labor  and  expenses  ;  and,  what  is  still  more 
sen-'ble  to  our  feelings,  we  love  the  land  tliat  covers  the 
bones  of  our  fathers. 

«  Father,  listen  :  Those  lands;  are  our  sole  dependence  for 
cultiv^ating  and  huntino-. 

"  Father,  listen  again  :  You  inform  us  concerning  our  land, 
that  we  are  only  to  enjoy  them  for  fifty  years.  Your  chil- 
dren are  very  unea-y  at  this  information  ;  tliey  suy,  let  us  en- 
joy and  have  our  land  for  ever. 

"  Father,  listen  .  Your  children  say,— Let  your  children,  the 
Wyandots,  have  their  land  for  one  hundred  years.  Tiie  rea- 
son why  we  say  one  h-mdred  years,  is  this  ;  'if  your  children 
the  principal  old  chiefs  of  the  Wyandot  tribe  of  Indians,  live 
so  long  in  peace  and  quietness,  wJien  that  day  comes,  at  the 
end  of  one  hundred  years,  father,  we  will  again  talk  on  the 
same  subject. 

"Father,  listen:  It  surprises  us,  your  children,  that  our 
great  father,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  should  take  as 
much  upon  himselfas  the  Great  Spirit  above,  as  he  wants 
all  the  land  on  this  island.  Father,  we  think  he  takes  the 
word  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Spirit.  He  does  not  con- 
sider that  he  is  master.  Father,  he  does  not  think  of  the 
Great  Spirit  above,  that  he  is  omnipotent,  and  master  of  us  all 
mid  every  thing  in  this  world. 


MICHIGAN    A    TERRITORY. 


179 


«  Father,  listen  to  the  request  of  all  your  Wyandot  children 
Grant  us,  we  supplicate  you,  our  land,  in  the  quantity  we  have 
requested  in  tliis  speech ;  then,  father,  we   will   thank  the 
voice  of  the  Great  Spirit  above,  and  thank  our  father    the 
President  of  the  United  States,  in  granting  this. 

"  Father,  listen  :  You  requested  your  children  last  sprino-fo 
take  mio  consideration  this  subject  concerning  our  land 
^^e  have  complied  with  your  request,  and  now  give  this  an- 
swer. 

«  Father,  listen  :  We  hope  you  will  not  think  it  is  for  want 
of  respect  to  you  that  we  make  known  our  sentiments  oii 
paper  by  our  friend  Jacob  Visger.  Father,  as  you  have  repeat- 
edly promised  your  children  that  you  would  assist  them,  we 
will  never  forget  your  paternal  care  of  us,  if  you  will  assist 
us  at  this  present  time  in  forwarding  these  our  wishes  and 
sentiments  to  our  father,  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

{Siffned.) 

Schow-Han-ret,  The  Black  Chief. 
Maera,  Walk  in  the  Water.      Ha  yane  me-dac,  Isedore. 
Sin  dac  we  no  Yuch  Sha  Wa,  no. 

Teyuch-quant  Rone-yae  ta.  Sky  light. 

Han-nac-saw,  Split  Log.  Ta-han  none-ka. 

The  design  of  Tecumseh  and  his  brother  the  Prophet,  was 
to  combine  i\w.  tribes  along  the  lakes  into  one  gciieral  confe- 
deracy. The  points  insisted  on  were,  that  the  Americans 
should  be  driven  back  over  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  and  that 
the  war  should  not  be  terminated  until  that  object  was  ac- 
complished. That  after  this  was  effected,  the  Indians  should 
have  undisturbed  possession  of  their  ancient  hiintin2--ffrounds. 
and  be  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment ;  and  that  the  warriors  who  dstinguished  themselves  in 
the  war,  should  receive  a  present  from  the  British  monarch 
of  very  large  medals.  A  large  belt  of  wampum,  upon  which 
was  worked  the  figures  of  the  tomahawk  and  such  symbols 
of  war,  was  passed  from  tribe  to  tribe,  with  presents  of  tobac- 
co and  other  customary  ceremonies,  as  a  pledge  of  belligerent 
co-operation.    By  this  means  a  considerable  portion  of  the 


1 

V 

■  ■!■' 

Ill 

"i 

I  ft 


lf;l 


180 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


Mianiis,  the  Ottawas,  Cliippowns,  Wyandots,  Potawatamios, 
Mcsscssao^as,  the  Shawancsc,  and  the  VViiuiebagoes,  were  in- 
duced to  joiu  that  oiiterprizc.  In  consequence  of  hostile  de- 
monstrations founded  on  this  Indian  confederacy,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  incretisc  the  defences  of  Detroit,  and  a  stockade 
was  erected  around  the  new  town  in  18U7.  At  tliis  period 
but  few  settlements  had  been  made  in  the  interior.  The 
minds  of  the  inhal)itants  were  more  occupied  in  defendiuf 
their  settlements  ajrainst  the  dauirers  which  threatened  them 
from  tlie  enmity  of  the  surroundina:  savasfes,  than  in  extend- 
ing- their  settlements  further  into  tlie  forest. 

Tiie  plan  of  the  Indian  confederation  was,  in  more  than  one 
respect,  sunilur  to  that  of  Pontiac.     It  was  proposed  to  surprise 
by  stratayein  the  posts  at  Detroit,  Fort  Wayne,  C'licatjo,  St. 
Louis,  and  Vincennes  ;   and  to  brin<r  into  the  confederacy  all 
the  tribes  upon  the  Mississippi.     The  British  aijent,   Elliot, 
who   was  stationed  at  Maiden,  addressed  a  Miami  chief  in 
these  words,  "  .My  son,  keep  your  eyes  fixed  on  me  ;  my  toma- 
hawk is  now  up,  be  you  ready,  but  do  not  strike  till  I  give 
the  signal."'     I'lie  Pro|)het  and  Tecumseh  were  doubtless  in- 
stigated  by  the  Britisii  Government  to  cffiict  this  confedera- 
tion,   in   order    to   co-operate  with    the  English  when  war 
should  be  declared  between  England  and  the  United  States. 
This  confederation  having  been  ripened,  the  flame  of  war  at 
length  broke  out  in   ISll,  near  the  Prophet's  town  on   the 
banks  of  the  VV^abash.     During  the  engagement  between  the 
troops  of  Gen.   Harrison   and  the  Indians  at  that  place,  in 
which  the  Indians  practised  the  utmost  address  and  perfidy, 
Tecumseh   was  absent.     While   the  battle  was  raging,  the 
Prophet  was  seen  on   an  eminence,  singing  a  war-song  in 
order  to  inspire  the  Indians  wi':h  greater  confidence. 

While  these  events  were  transpiring,  the  territory  of  Mi- 
chigan was  in  a  coniparativ'ely  defenceless  state.  For  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  protection  from  the  United  States,  a  memorK-\l 
was  presented  to  Congress  on  the  27th  of  December  1811, 
setting  forth  the  condition  of  the  territory,  and  praying  for 
aid  from  that  body  against  the  augmenting  hostility  of  the  sa- 
vages.    There  were  then  in  Michigan  only  nine  principal 


MICHIOAN    A    TERRITORY. 


181 


settlements.  These  were  on  the  River  Miami,  the  Raisin, 
the  Huron  of  Lake  I'irie,  Ecorce,  Rouge,  Detroit,  Huron  of 
St.  Clair,  the  River  Sinclair,  the  Island  of  Mackinaw,  besides 
several  g'roups  ofcahins  scattered  through  the  forest.  Those 
on  the  Miami,  the  Raisin,  and  the  Huron  of  Lake  Erie,  com- 
prsed  a  population  of  KMO;  the  establishments  at  Detroit,  (he 
river  Roufje,  Ecorce^  and  the  Huron  of  St.  Clair,  contained 
!i227  inhabitants  ;  and  the  Island  of  Mackinaw  and  the  de- 
tached colonies  constituted  a  population  of  1070.  The  fort 
at  Detroit  was  garrisoned  by  94  men,  and  that  of  Mackinaw 
by  79.  The  atrgregate  population  of  Michigan  at  that  time 
was  48(H) ;  four  fifths  of  whom  were  French,  and  the  re- 
mainder Americans,  with  a  small  portion  of  British.* 

Tlie  hostile  spirit,  which  had  been  thus  excited  by  Tecum- 
seh  and  the  Prophet  upon  the  lakes,  soon  manifested  itself 
upon  the  Michigan  irontier.  The  scattered  settlements  along 
the  inland  streams  were  at  that  time  much  exposed  to  the 
depredations  of  the  Indians  ;  and  the  emigrants  found  their 
horses  and  cattle  slaughtered  around  their  huts.  At  French 
Town  this  devastation  was  carried  on  to  the  most  formidable 
extent  before  the  declaration  of  war  between  England  and  the 
United  States.  At  one  time  bands  of  naked  warriors,  with 
feathers  in  their  heads,  whom  the  French  called  des  Iroquois, 
made  descents  upon  that  village  ;  and  in  silence  proceeded  to 
destroy  all  property  which  was  supposed  to  be  required  for 
the  support  of  t'le  army  in  the  coming  contest.  Entering  the 
houses  of  the  French  peasantry,  they  plundered  the  defence- 
less tenants  of  the  provisions  within  them  without  exchang- 
ing a  word  with  the  occupants;  cut  down  the  cattle  in  the 
fields,  and  witli  their  tomahawks  demolished  the  bee-hives 
which  were  found  in  their  gardens.  At  that  period,  which 
was  but  a  year  before  the  declaration  of  war,  the  agency  of 
the  British  was  also  manifest  in  the  fact  that  a  blacksmith's 
shop  was  erected  near  Kalamazoo  ;  and  here  were  forged  scalp- 
ing-knives  and  hatchets  for  the  use  of  the  savages  ;  and  near 
it  was  a  retired  spot,  nearly  enveloped  with  vegetation,  where 


i 


Memorial  from  Michigan.    For  this  document,  see  American  State  Papers. 


wrr 


182 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIOAN. 


tho  Iiidi.-ui  women  wore  collected  to  plant  corn,  while  the 
warriors  were  assembling  along  tho  Irontior  unci  the  British 
posts. 

In  the  year  1804  a  land  office  had  been  established  at  Dc 
troit  ;  but  its  prn.cipal  design  was  donbtless  to  adjnst  certain 
land  titles  springing  from  Frencli  grants,  which  were  fonnd  to 
be  detective,  nnder  the  sanction  of  the   Couiumc  dc  J'aris- 
1 10  law  of  France  which  governed  the  territory  while  under 
the  French  dominion.     The  pnblic  lands,  which  have  been 
found  to  be  a  mine  of  immense  value  to  the  United  States 
could  not  tlion  be  regularly  brought  into  market,  bncauso  the 
Indian  title  had  then  been  only  partially  extingnishcd 

In  the  year  1785  a  treaty  had  been  held  with  the  tribes  of 
the  Ottawas,  Cliippewas,  Delawares,  and  Wyandots,  at  Fort 
Mcintosh,  by  which  a  belt  of  land,   commencincr  at    the 
Rivor  Raisin  and  extending  to  Lake  St.  Clair,  with  a  breadth 
of  SIX  miles  along  the  strait,  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  • 
and  to  this  was  added  a  tr.-^ct  of  twelve  miles  square  at  Mi- 
(^hihmackmac.      In  the  treaty  of  Fort  Harmar,  in  the  year 
1/8/,  all  the  aipnlations  embraced  in  the  former  treaties  were 
confirmed  ;  and  in  1795  the  belt  of  land,  which  },as  befoi- 
been  mentioned  embracing  Detroit,  was  again  granted  to  the 
United  States  by  the  treaty  of  Greenville  ;*  and  also  twelve 
miles  square  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami,  together  with  the 
islands  of  Bois   Blanc  and  Mackinaw;  and  also  a  tract  of 
laud,  six  miles  by  three,  on  the  main,  to  the  north  of  the  Tslard 
of  Mackinaw.     The  gifts  or  grants  to  the  British  and  Frt-nch 
were  also  ceded  to  the  United  States.     The  tract  of  land  first 
described  as  running  from  the  River  Raisin  to  Lake  St  (^liir 
was  the  only  soil  which  could  be  appropriated  by  the  Whites 
to  cultivation.  "      " 

The  foundation  of  many  of  the  old  French  claims  to  land 
is^an  act  which  passed  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  in 
1807,  granting  a  confirmation  of  claims,  to  a  certain  extent,  to 
those  who  had  been  in  the  possession  of  lanes  in  the  year  170(5 
when  the  country  came  nnder  the  actual  jurisdiction  of  tho' 

*  See  Appendix. 


I^i^ 


MICHIGAN    A    TKURITOUY. 


183 


United  States,  mid  who  hud  maiiitaiiied  their  occupaiicv  un 
to  the  date  of  that  act.     Subsequent  acts  passed  Coi,.rr,ss  J 
tending  the  sumo  ad.antajre  to  tlie •settlements  npon  tie  upnor 

In  1807  the  Indian  title  to  the  soil  hejran  re<.ularly  to  be 
extinguished.     During  that  year  Gov.  Hull  entered  into  a 

and  Wyandot  trihes,  which  annexed  the  lands  that   had  Ji 
been  ceded  under  Ibrmer  treaties  within  tlie  line  running  on 

Washtenaw,  and  Lenawe.  These,  however,  were  not  broiudu 

into  market  until  the  year  1817.     The  southern  boundary^of 

-s  cession  was  the  river  and  bay  of  the  Miami,  and  enib.Ld 

o   t he  An  Chuze,  unlil  it  mtersected  the  parallel  of  the  outlet 
of     ake  Huron,  and  extending  in  a  north-eastern  course  to 

1 11     '     r     "P"V'"'  '''^'-     '■'  '"''  ^''^^-^  '^'^^  -^o»t  four 
Hundred  farms  in  the  territory. 

A.  this  time  there  was  no  Mibstantial  defence  to  Detroit  be- 
sides the  iort  which  was  situated  outside  of  the  stockade,  and 
n  the  rear  of  the  original  town,  until  the  year  18U7.     Durincr 
hat  year  a  stockade  was  constructed  around  the  new  town  o"f 
De.roit,  on  account  of  certain  threatening  movements  of  the 
Indians,  vyincli  continued  until  the  year  1817.     The  progress 
of  the  settlemont  at  this  period  was  slow,  but  as  rapid  L  could 
be  expected  Irom  the  circnmslances  of  a  remote  and  small 
village,  located  far  away  from  the  Atlantic  coast,  wliich  con- 
tamed  the  bulk  of  the  American  population,  and  dostituto  of 
any  extraordinary  means  of  advancement.     Enterprize  had 
not  then  pushed  its  energies  so  far  into  the  wilderness  as  in 
modern  times,  and  capital  floated  along  die  shores  of  the  east- 
ern States.     In  fact  a  great  portion  of  that  cultivated  tract  of 
country,  winch  constitutes  the  splendid  scenery  of  western 
JNew-\  ork,  adorned,  as  it  now  is,  with  large  cities  and  villaires 
and  intersected  by  rail-roads  and  canals,  was  a  dense  forest' 
The  principal  business  of  the  settlements  in  Michigan  was 
the  fur  trade  ;  and  the  -.-rlornoss  around,  inste;ul  of  ix^vealiuo- 
US  treasures  to  the  substantial  labors  of  agriculture,  was  pre^ 


,ad 


-f: 


1  H! 


it 


!'.! 


m 


i  ( 


!'  i 


P  I 


184 


HISTORY    OP    MICIIiQAN. 


served  a  waste  for  the  propagation  of  wild  game  and  the 
fur-bearincr  animals.  No  permanent  settlements  of  any  con- 
siderable importance  had  been  made  throughout  tins  section 
of  the  country  besides  those  at  Detroit,  Michilmiackmac,  a 
small  establishment  on  the  St.  Mary's  River,  Fox  River,  o 
Green  Bay,  Prarie  du  Chien,  and  certain  tradmg  posts  ot 
eastern  companies,  some  of  which  are  now  in  rums.  '•  Gnm- 
visacred  war  had  smoothed  her  wrhikled  front ;"  and  the  coun- 
try which  had  been  for  so  long  a  period  drenched  m  blood, 
now  shone  out  in  the  m.ld  butglorious  light  of  peace. 

But  a  crisis  had  now  arrived  which  again  called  forth  the 
military  energies  of  this  section  of  the  conntry,andbroughtde- 

vaslation  upon  the  frontiers.  Thedifferences  which  had  gradu- 
ally spruncr  up  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States, on 
the  crround  of  international  rights,  soon  ripened  into  open  re- 
beliron.     It  was  preceded,  however,  in  1811,  by  hostilities 
upon  the  Wabash,  under  the  histigation  of  Tecnmseh,  aided 
by  his  brother  the  Prophet.      The  has.  of  these  host.hti  s 
was  the  fact  that  Elshwatawa  the  Prophet,  who  pretended  to 
certain  supernatural  power,  had  formed  a  league  wi  h  Te- 
cnmseh,  to  stir  up  the  jealousy  of  the  Indiairs  against  the  Uni- 
ted States.     It  seems  that  this  was  an  act  of  pre-concert  on  the 
part  of  these  brothers,  in  order  to  produce  a  general  confede- 
racy of  Indians  against  the  United  States.     MiUual  comp  amts 
were  uro-ed  on  both  sides.     It  was  maintained  by  Governoi 
Harrison  that  the  Indians  had  endeavored  to  excite  insur- 
rection acrainst  the  Americans,  had  depredated  upon  their 
property,  and  murdered  their  citizens;  and  that  they  were, 
LLver,  in  league  with  the  British.     He  ordered  them 
therefore,to  return  to  their  respective  tribes,  and  to  yield  up  the 
property  which  they  had  stolen,  and  also  the  murderers^     1  e- 
cumseh  in  answer,  denied  the  league.     He  alleged  that 
only  design,  and  that  of  his  brother,  was  to  strengthen  the 
amity  between  the  different  tribes  of  Indians,  and  to  improve 
their  moral  condition.     In  answer  to  Governor  Harrison  s  de- 
mand for  the  murderers  of  the  whites  who  had  taken  refuge 
among  their  tribes,  he  denied  that  they  were  there  ;  nnd  se- 
condly, that  if  they  were  there,  it  was  not  right  to  punish 


I 


MICHIGAN    A    TRnRlTORY. 


185 


them,  and  that  they  ought  to  be  forgiven,  Jis  he  had  forgiven 
those  wlio  had  murdered  his  people  in  Illinois.     The  Indians, 
comprised  of  seceders  from  the  various   tribes,  were  incit- 
ed by  the  conviction  that   their  domain  was  encroached 
upon  by  the  Americans ;  that  they  were  themselves  superior 
to  the  white  men  ;  and  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  directed  them 
to  make  one  mighty  struggle  in  throwing  off  the  dominion  of 
the  United  States.     British  influence,  which  had  before  exert- 
ed its  agency  in  the  previous  Indian  war,  was  active  on  the 
American  side  of  the  Detroit  River  ;  and  it  must  be  idmitted 
that  it  had  strong  ground  of  action.     An  ardent  correspond- 
ence had  for  some  time  existed  regarding  the  conduct  of  the 
savages,  and  powerful  efforts  were  made  to  dissuade  them 
from  advancing  in  their  projects.    In  a  speech  which  was  sent 
to  Tecumseh  and  his  brother,  complaining  of  injuries  which 
had  been  committed  by  the  Indians,  and  demanding  redress, 
Gov.  Harrison,  who  then  resided  at  Vincennes,  remarks,  "  Bro- 
thers, I  am  myself  of  the  Long  Knife  fire ;  as  soon  as  they  hear 
my  voice,  you  will  see  them  pouring  forth  their  swarms  of 
'hunting-shirt  men,' as  numerous  as  the  mosquitoes  on  the 
shores  of  the  Wabash.     Brothers,  take  care  of  their  stings." 


■  'f. 


24 


1 

1 

IBG 


HISTORY   or    MICHIGAN. 


CHAPTER  Xr. 


War  tlcclnrcd  brtwccn  Great  Rritiiin  ond  tlic  TJnited  Sfatos — RrprPHrntntions  of 
Ciovernor  Hull — Governor  Hull  nppointed  'o  llio  command  of  the  wesicni 
nruiy — Marches  over  to  Sandwich,  and  nddrcsses  the  Cunadians — Policy  of 
Prt'vost — Surrender  of  Detroit — Indians  under  Tceunisi'li — Conduct  of  Go- 
vernor Hull — Expedition  to  the  River  Raisin — Capture  of  Chicago — Battle  of 
tii<!  River  Raisin — Gen.  Harrison's  Campaign — Navul  Rattle  on  Lake  l-'.rii) 
— Harrison  arrives  at  Maiden — Marches  to  rJctroit — Attack  of  Mackinaw — 
Peace  declared. 

In  June  of  1812,  an  act  was  passcil  by  tlic  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  declaring  war  against  Great  Britain.  The  nia- 
nilbsto  alleged,  a.s  grotnids  for  this  war,  the  violation  of  the 
American  flag  upon  the  high  seas  by  the  impressment  of 
American  seamen  ;  the  harassment  of  American  vessels  as 
they  were  entering  or  departing  from  British  harbors  ;  the 
shedding  of  American  blood  within  tho  bounds  of  her  juris- 
diction ;  blockading  the  ports  of  the  enemies  of  Great  Britain, 
and  not  supporting  these  blockades  by  the  application  of  fleets 
adequate  to  make  them  legal ;  in  consequence  of  which  Ameri- 
can commerce  had  been  plundered,  and  her  products  cut  of! 
from  their  markets  ;  and  for  Iiaving  employed  secret  agents 
to  subvert  the  Government  and  to  destroy  the  Union  ;  and 
for  stimulating  the  Indian  tribes  to  hostility  against  the 
United  States.  At  that  period  the  country  was  unprepared 
for  war.  The  regular  army  was  small,  and  comparatively 
undisciplined,  ]\Iost  of  the  patriots  of  the  RevoliUion  had 
smik  into  their  graves,  and  the  energies  of  the  nation  had  be- 
come somewhat  enervated  by  a  long  peace.  Nor  was  the  re- 
vemie  adequate  to  the  support  of  a  long  campaign.  The 
navy,  which  had  become  somewhat  disciplined  by  contact 
■with  the  Barbary  powers,  was  in  a  mucli  better  condition  than 
the  other  branches  of  national  defence.  About  one  year 
before  the  declaration  of  war.  Gen.  William  Iltdl,  then  Go- 
vernor of  Michigan,  made  an  official  statement  to  tho  general 
government  of  the  condition  of  the  American  forces  upon  tho 


m 


WAn  OP  1812. 


187 


upper  lakes.     He  alleged  that  the  Americans  J.ad  milifarv 
posts  at  Chicago,  Detroit,  n.id  Michilimackinac;  and  that  the 
IJiitisn  at  the  two  last-named  posts  was  about  equal  to  that  of 
the  Americans  at  Chicago,  Michilimackinac,  and  Detroit  •  and 
m  case  of  war,  should  the  forces  in  Upper  Canada  join  the 
IJnt.sh  their  success  in  subjugating  the  American  iorce  on 
tins  side  would  be  almost  certain  ;  as  (he  militia  in  Canada 
amounted  to  about  one  hundred  thousand  men,  while  the 
orce  on  the  American   side  consisted  only  of  about   five 
.ousand.     Ho  alleged  that  it  was  probable  the  services  of 
the  Indians,  who  infested  the  forests  for  two  hundred  miles 
nround  Detroit,  would  be  enlisted  in  favor  of  Uritish  influence 
IIo  staled,  also,  that  Detroit  was  the  key  to  the  upper  region 
of  the  north-western  lakes,  and  to  a  vast  extent  of  buck  coun- 
ty ;  and  that  this  post  might  command  a  wide  tract  of  terri- 
tory,  and  serve  to  keep  the  northern  Indians  in  clieck      Ho 
therefore  suggested  that  a  naval  force  should  be  sent  forward 
immediately  on  Lake  Erie,  sufficient  to  command  the  lake 
and  which  might  co-operate  with  the  post  at  Detroit.     In  case 
that  project  should  be  defeated,  Gov.  Hull  proposed  that  ^if 
war  should  be  declared,  Canada  should  be  invaded  byapow- 
cful  army  sent  over  from  Niagara,  which  should  co-operace 
with  the  force  at  Detroit  and  subjugate  the  British  provinces 
f  his  was  not  done,  he  declared  (hat  the  American  posts  musi 
iall  into  (he  hands  of  the  British. 

In  consequence  probably,  of  this  suggestion,  a  campaign 
was  projected  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  which 
doubtless  Imd  for  its  object  the  conquest  of  Montreal.     But 
the  American  troops,  instead  of  concentrating  at  that  point 
were  scattered  along  the  whole  line  of  the  north-western  fron- 
tier.    1  he  design  seems  to  have  been  to  invade  Detroit  and 
JN.agara  contemporaneously,  on  the  supposition  that  the  ar- 
mies at  these  posts  would  n  ore  forward  to  Montreal,  meeting 
on  their  way  the  force  at  Plattsburgh.      For  this  object  an 
army  destined  for  Detroit,  was  collected  at  Dayton,  Ohio 
even  before  the  war  was  declared.     It  was  comprised  of  abou! 
tu.e  ve  lumdred  men,  drafted  from  that  State  by  the  Preside 
of  the  United  States;  and  this  number  was  conLorab  ly  at " 


- 1 


in] 


II- 


K' 


ii^ 


'     !' 


188 


inSTORY    OP    MICHIOAN. 


moiitcd  by  voliiiitcprs.  TIio  nrniy  was  divided  into  three 
regiments,  and  ihoso  wore  placed  under  the  ctininmnd  of  Cols. 
M'Arthur,  Cass,  and  Tinelly.  To  these  wore  addtid  the  (buith 
regiment,  consisting  of  infantry  and  a  low  regulars,  constilut' 
ino-  in  the  whole  about  three  hundred  men ;  and  these  wero 
placod  luider  the  command  of  Col.  Miller.  'I'his  force,  to- 
gether with  an  addition  of  a  munher  of  stragglers,  was  placed 
U4ider  the  command  of  Gvn.  Hull.  The  prominent  position 
which  was  sustained  by  (jien.  Hull,  as  governor  of  Michigan  ; 
tlio  fact  that  from  his  odicial  station  he  was  presumed  to  pos- 
sess an  nccurate  knowledge  of  the  north-western  frontier,  and 
that  ho  had  formerly  served  with  brilliant  success  in  the  ar- 
my of  Washington,  were  circumstances  which  were?  deemed 
sudicicnt  to  establish  the  propriety  of  vesting  in  this  indivi- 
dual the  first  connnand.  The  (.General,  therelore,  having  been 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Detroit,  and  to  await  there  for  i'urther 
orders,  lell  Dayton  with  tha  army  about  the  middle  of  June, 
and  passed  through  the  trackless  regions  from  that  i)lace 
to  the  Maumeo  of  the  lakes.  The  army  was  obliged  to 
cut  its  way  through  the  forest,  but  after  sutibring  extraordi- 
nary hardship,  it  finally  arrived,  on  the  3()di  day  of  June,  at 
the  Ilupids. 

There  was  gross  negligence  on  die  part  of  Uie  war  depart- 
ment in  furnishing  to  the  western  frontier  information  of  the 
declaration  of  war  ;  because  on  the  2{3th  day  of  the  month 
Gen.  Hull  received  intelligence  by  express  from  the  Secretary 
of  War,  which  contained  no  information  of  that  event,  al- 
though war  had  then  been  declared.  The  British  diploma- 
tists, however,  as  soon  as  diis  had  occurred,  immediately  con- 
veyed information  of  that  fact  to  die  frontiers  to  th(ur  own 
men  ;  and  Uius  the  English  had  already  received  information 
of  the  declaration  before  it  had  reached  the  American  side. 
Gen.  Hull,  who  had  visited  Washington,  in  order  to  relieve  his 
army  in  some  measure  from  its  incumbrances,  hired  at  the 
Rapids  a  vessel  to  convey  to  Detroit  his  baggage,  a  few  who 
wore  sick,  and  certain  hospital  stores  as  well  as  valuable  docu- 
ments ;  and  this  vessel  took  the  usual  course  to  Detroit  by  tho 
wav  of  the  Maiden  chnnnel.     On  her  approach  to  that  point, 


i       .   I 


■Iti 


WAR  OP   1812. 


189 


tlio  vcssol  was  capliircd,  nnd  the  information  of  the  dcclnra- 
tion  ofwiir  first  hroko  upon  the  astonisliod  crow  from  Uritisli 
li|>.s  IIS  tiioy  bo.irtlcd  llic  Anioricuii  vosscl.     From  tlicsn  facts 
it  will  lu!  iKMccivcd  that  jVIicliiira,,^  from  hor  exposed  location 
on  tlin  very  fronlior  of  the  western  territory,  licr  proximity  to 
the  Mritish  provinc(;s  and  distance  from  military  aid,  was  made 
the  first  victim  of  the  war  of  1812.     CJen.  Hull  reached  De- 
troit on  the  nth  of  July,  wliere  iiis  forces  were  for  some  time 
employed  in  recrnitinff  their  strenirth  and  cleaninfr  tfieirmtis- 
kets,  which  had  hecomo  foul  from  u  lonir  ex|>osnro  to   the 
rains  and  damps  of  the  forest,      (hi  the  9th  of  that  month  ho 
received  orders  fronj  Mr.  Mnstice,  the  then  Secretary  of  War, 
to  the  following  vtlhct :— "Should  the  force  under  your  com- 
mand beerpial  to  tla-enterprizc,  and  consistent  with  the  safety 
of  your  own  posts,  you  will  take  posses.^ion  of  Ma    .m,  and 
extend  your  conquests  as  circumstances  will  allow." 

ilis  army  were  anxious  to  prosecute  this  enterprise  imme- 
diately, and  urged  it  upon  Gen.  Hull  with  great  vigor.     Tho 
garrison  at  Maiden  was  at  that  time  quite  weak,  and  had  no 
defence  of  any  considerable  consequence,  excepting  a  few  of 
the  Canadian  militia,  who  were  of  insufhcient  force  to  main- 
tain an  encounter  with  Gen.  Hull.     It  was  perceived  hy  the 
instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  to  invade  Canada  or 
to  remain  on  the  defensive  was  left  discretionary  with  Gen, 
Hull.     Maiden  was  at  that  time  the  key  to  tf  e  Canadiai;  pro- 
vinces, and  its  possession  would  Iiave  Ijeen  an  immensely 
advantageous   point  in  the  subsequent  campaign.      Having 
made  arrangements  for  the  expedition,  Gen.  Hull  crossed  the 
River  Detroit  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  and  established  his  forces 
at  Sandwich.    Here  iio  issued  a  proclamation,  which  was  an 
impi  tvssive  and  energetic  paper,  and,  backed  by  the  bayonets  of 
his  army,  had  a  powerful   influence  in  keeping  the  Indians 
and  the  Canadians,  many  of  whom  were  at  heart  opposed  to  the 
American  cause,  upon  neutral  ground.     He  invited  the  sur- 
rounding people  to  come  in  nndcr  the  American  banner?,  pro- 
mising protection  to  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Canada  in  the  name  of  his  country,  but  extermination  if  they 
jomed  the  British  and  savages  against  the  United  States.  He  at 


or 


190 


msTOUY  op    MICmOAN. 


V        I 


Ihe  snmo  time  spread  out  to  their  view  tlic  advaiirnirc..s  of  Ix-coni- 
iiiirmcorporatod  Willi  «n>piil)|icanjrov<!rmiu'nr,iiisf(.ad  of  lu-in.r 
usorvdo  «ppoiid;i-o  to  tlio  Mritisli  ii.oiiaiTliy.     "Had   I  any 
doubt  of  ulliiuatu  success,"  says  this  proclaumtioii,  "  [  should 
nsic  yournssistaiico ;  but  I  come  prepared  for  every  contiu-rpucy. 
1  have  a  force  which  will  break  down  all  oj.positiou,  aud  that 
force  is  hut  ihe  vaii-jruard  of  a  much  j^nvater."     This  bold 
and  elo(pie!it  document  was  from  the  pen  of  Governor  Cass. 
Under  this  invitation,  many  of  the  Canadians  came  over  to 
the  American  side.     Some  of  the  oflicers  of  his  army  wero 
disposed  to  proceed  immediately  to  the  stormin<r  of  ]\Ialden  ; 
but  tJen.  Hull,  countenanced  by  a  council  of  war,  consider- 
ed it  expedient  to  wait  for  his  heavy  artillery,  which,  it  was 
alleged,  was  preparin<r  at  Detroit.     The  American  army,  there- 
fore, remained  at  Sandwich,  while  occasional  fora-i,„r  parties 
were  sent  out  in  order  to  procure  provioions.     Col! Cass,  with 
a  force  of  about  two  hundred  and  ei-rhly  won,  soon  after  the 
army  crossed,  left  the  camp  to  reconnoitre  the  crmimd  towards 
Maiden,  and  he  drove  in  a  picket  of  the  Mritish  which  was 
stationed   on   a  brid2:e   crossing   the  river   Canard.      That 
bridge  was  only  about  four  miles  from  Maiden.     After  killinn- 
ten  of  the  enemy,  he  took  possession  of  the  brido-e      It  was 
deemed  important  as  a  post  by  Col.  Cass,  and  he  proposed  to 
Gen.  Hull  to  maintain  it  as  a  prominent  point  for  a  future  at- 
tack.    That  snggestioii,  however,  was  not  regarded      Gen 
Ifull  considered,  or  pretended  to  consider,  that  such  a  move- 
ment would  probably  bring  on  a  general  action,  whicli  it  was 
desirous  at  that  time  to  avoid,  as  it  had  been  determined   to 
wait  for  artillery,  and  Col.  M'Arthur  had  already  drawn  oif  a 
considerable  force  from  the  main  strength  of  the  army. 

During  this  delay  at  Sandwicli,  an  eV'Jitioii  wa^  instl^at 
ed  and  actually  sent  out  against  Mackinaw.  The  (ir^t  inti- 
mation  which  the  connnandant,  Liculeiiant  ^.'n!,-.  rec-ivod 
of  the  declaration  of  war,  was  the  summons  from  tlio  British 
force  to  surrender  under  the  very  walls  of  the  fort.  It  seems 
that  the  Indians  were  instructed  to  enter  upon  an  indiscrimi- 
natG  massacre  m  case  any  resistance  should  be  made ;  and  as 
Jus  o.^c  was  mcompetcnt  to  withstand  the  combined  attack 


WAii  OK  IB  12. 


191 


Jvlllmnp 


of  tlio  Uritish  mid  Indinns,  Lioiit.ninnt  n,.iik.ssnrrondor..don 
the  irth  of  July.  Lieutenant  Hanks  had  at  his  command 
only  abont  fdly-sevcn  men,  and  the  combined  .strenjrth  of  the 
Untish  and  Indians  amonntcd  lo  one  thousand  and  twoniy- 
/our,  coniiiosed  of  the  Whites,  Siouxs,  Winnebagocs,  Talles- 
wani,  Chijipewas,  and  Ottawas. 

fJov.  Meigs  of  Ohio,  had,  in  answer  to  the  request  of  Gen 
I  nil,  despatched  Captain  lirush  to  his  aid  with  provisions 
He  was  soon  n.fonned,  however,  that  a  party,  constituted  of 
iintish   and   Indians,   l,ad   been   sent  out  from  Maiden   to 
IJrownstown,  m  order  to  intercept  him.     Accordingly,  on  tho 

4th,C,en  Hull  huTiselfdespatclicd  aparty,  comprised  of  abont 
two  hundred  men,  under  tho  command  of  Major  Van  Horn 
to  escort  Captain  Urush  (o  the  camp.  The  American  partvl 
reached  IJrownsiown  on  tho  8th,  but  were  surprised  by  tho 
Indians,  and  tho  savages  fired  upon  them  from  an  ambuslide. 
1  he  American  party  icturncd  the  fire,  but  they  were  soon  over- 
powered by  numbers,  and  fled  from  the  field,  where  they  left 
eighteen  dead,  and  returned  to  Detroit. 

From  these  facts,  the  enmity  of  the  north-western  sava-es 
was  manifest,  and  it  was  anticipated  that  tliey  would  soon 
pour  out  from  the  wilderness,  like  the  Goths  and  Vandals 
..pon  the  American  forces.     In  fact,  it  had  been  the  policy 
ot  Great  Britain,  as  the  war  thickened,  to  excite  a  creneral 
confederacy  of  the  Indian  tribes  against  the  Americans,  un- 
der British  protection.     For  this  object  councils  were  held 
presents  were  forwarded,  and  the  war-belt  was  circulated 
through  the  tribes.     That  volcano,  which  was  pressed  down 
by  Gen.  Harrison  at  the  Prophet's  Town  in  the  battle  with  the 
1  rophet,  only  slumbered  to  break  out  elsewhere  with  tenfold 
t«ry,  and  to  pour  its  storms  of  fire  upon  the  earth.     Formal 
councils  were  held  at  Brownstown  and  Maiden,  in  order  to 
consider  the  propriety  of  their  taking  up  arms  against  the 
Americans ;  and  we  have  seen  that  tliey  were  instigated  by 
J^llint,  llie  Indian  Agent,  to  sharpen  their  tomahawks  for  tho 
conflict.     The  policy  of  Great  Britain  was  to  brin-  over  to 
their  cause  tlie  powerful   influence  of  Tecumseh,  "aided  by 
that  of  Ins  brother  the  Prophet.     It  must  l)e  admitted  that 


flY* 
k 


r 


^],' 


'■M 


;'  i'i 


() 


192 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


A    II 


the  grievances  of  this  warrior  had  a  strong  basis.     Governor 
Harrison,  as  early  as  1809,  in  his  annual  message  to  the  In- 
diana legislature,  declared,  that  owing  to  defects  in  the  law 
of  the  United  States,  "  every  person  has  been  allowed  to  trade 
with  the  Indians  that  pleases,  which  proves  a  source  of  num- 
berless abuses,  of  mischievous  effect  both  to  them  and  our- 
selves."    In  his  message,  two  years  after,  is  the  following 
statement :— that  "  the  utmost  efforts  to  induce  them  to  take 
up  arms  would  be  unavailing  if  only  one  of  the  many  per- 
sons who  have  committed  murders  on  the  people  could  be 
brought  to  punishment."     It  is  clear,  therefore,  that  although 
the  country,  in  its  corporate  capacity,  was  not  instrumental 
in  committing  wrongs  upon  the  Indians,  still  it  cannot  be  de- 
nied that  base  wrongs  were  actually  committed  by  many 
Americans,  as  individuals,  upon  the  Indians.     The  grand  ar- 
gument used  by  Tecumseh  to  induce  the  Indians  to  take  up 
arms  against  the  United  States,  was  the  fact  that  the  white 
men  v/ere  encroaching  upon  them,  and  taking  away  their 
lands,  which  the  Great  Spirit  had  ordained  should  be  the 
common  property  of  the  Indians. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  Gen.  Hull  called  a  couticil  of  war, 
in  order  to  adjudge  the  question  of  expediency  in  proceeding 
upon  the  attack  of  Maiden  without  the  artillery  from  Detroit, 
and  it  was  agreed  to  wait  two  days  for  the  ordnance  ;  and  in 
case  it  did  not  then  arrive,  to  attack  the  fort.    Between  the  fifth 
and  the  eighth  day,  the  period  which  had  been  concluded  upon 
as  the  time  of  attack,  information  was  received   by   Gen. 
Porter,  who  then  commanded  the  Niagara  frontier,  that  the 
enemy  were  fast  advancing  to  meet  him  ;  that  he  need  expect 
no  diversion  from  the  Niagara  ;  and  that  some  of  tlio  British 
forces  had  already  arrived  at  the  garrison  of  Maiden.     These 
circumstances  operating  upon  the  somewhat  timid  mind  of 
Gen.  Hull  induced  him  to  re-cross  the  river  without  any  at-. 
tempt  at  subjugating  Canada.     This  he  did  on  the  9th  of 
August.     His  alleged  ground  for  this  proceeding,  was  the 
foct  that  Gen.  Brock  would  soon  arrive  with  succor  to  tue 
British  troops  ;  that  the  Indians  were  disengaged  from  Macki- 
naw, and  would  pour  down  in  hordes  upon  lum  ;  besides  that 


WAR   OK    1812. 


193 


his  supply  of  provisions  would  be  cut  off  from  his  want  of 
communication  with  Ohio, 

This  unfortunate  exigency  was  brought  about  by  the  ad- 
mirable policy  of  Sir  George  Prevost,  the  then  Governor-ge- 
neral of  Canada.     As  General  Dearborn  had  been  instructed 
to  mvade  Canada  from  Niagara,  and  to  co-operate  with  Hull 
at  Detroit,  it  became  the  policy  of  the  British  to  divide  the 
two  forces,  in  order  that  the  English  might  prosecute  their 
own  ends.     For  that  object  Col.  Baynes  was  sent  from  Mon- 
treal with  a  flag  of  truce,  carrying  to  the  American  forces 
dispatches  from  his  government  containing  a  repeal  of  the 
British  orders  in  oouncil ;  and  upon  the  probable  ground  that 
these  might  produce  a  peace,  he  demanded  an  armistice 
His  design  was  to  cause  a  delay,  by  which  Gen.  Dearborn 
might  be  separated  from  ^en.  Hull,  and  that  the  British  force 
might  through  this  means  be  able  to  concentrate  its  strength 
upon  the  single  army  of  the  last-mentioned  general.    It  was 
stipulated  by  General  Dearborn,  that  should  the  President  of 
the  United    States    disapprove  of  the    armistice,  hostilities 
should  re-commence  between  the  forces  after  four  days'  notice 
of  that  fact.     But  the  delay  occasioned  by  the  communication 
from  Washmgtou  would  afford  ample  time  foi  the  Governor 
general  to  effectuate  his  design.     The  armistice  was  disap- 
proved by  the  President,  but  the  Govrrnor-general  had  gained 
fiis  point  before  the  news  arrived  to  that  effect 

p*^"  n',  tV''  '^^^^'^^«"-  H»'l  re-crossed  the  Detroit 
Kiver,  Col.  Miller  was  despatched  with  the  fourth  regiment 
and  a  body  of  militia,  consisting  of  about  600  men  to  es- 
cort  the  provisions  whicli  were  expected  from  Ohio  •  and  his 
advance  guard,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Snelling  met 
the  enemy  near  Monguagon.  The  guard  maintained  its 
position  until  it  was  backed  by  the  main  body.  The  enemy 
consisted  mainly  of  British  and  Indians,  who  were  defended 
by  a  rough  breastwork.  After  a  brief  but  sharp  contest,  they 
were  dislodged,  and  driven  in  boats  across  the  river,  leavino- 
the  Americans  masters  of  the  field.  As  provisions  weiS 
expected.  Col.  Miller  remained  for  s.)me  time  on  the  battle- 
ground,  but  he  soon  received  orders  from  Gen.  Hull  to  re- 

25 


■■\ 


■■"•/i 


'■^■y 


^    -^!  = 


fpr*" 


194 


HISTORY    OP   MICHIGAN. 


1 1 
i   ^    I 


*    il; 


h     '  % 


turn  to  Detroit.  Gen.  Hull,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  as  matter  of  discouragement  to  the  campaign,  alleged 
that  no  advantage  was  gained  by  the  American  arms  farther 
than  th'3  points  of  their  bayonets  extended.  The  battle  of 
Monguagon  was  contended  on  the  part  of  the  British,  by  the 
English  Canadians  and  Indians,  vho,  having  embarked  from 
Maiden,  were  drawn  up  in  regular  order  of  battle  on  the 
western  banks  of  the  river,  and  about  fifteen  miles  below 
Detroit.  In  their  defeat  by  Col.  Miller,  they  retreated,  under 
the  cover  of  their  armed  vessels,  toward  which  they  were 
pursued  for  about  two  miles.  Communications  having  been 
sent  by  Col.  Miller  to  Detroit,  Col.  M' Arthur  was  detached 
with  provisions  for  the  American  camp  ;  but  a  storm  of  rain 
coming  on,  the  detachment  was  ordered  by  General  Hull  to 
return  to  the  fort.  In  this  action  Tecumseh,  the  Shawanese 
warrior,  leading  on  the  savage  hordes,  maintained  his  bril- 
liant reputation ;  and,  although  wounded,  maintained  his 
ground  while  the  British  regulars  gave  way,  leaving  about 
forty  Indians  dead  upon  the  field.  Arrangements  were  now 
made  convey  the  expected  provisions  by  a  more  circuitous 
and  less  exposed  route ;  and  Colonels  M'Arthur  and  Cass, 
having  selected  three  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  best  troops 
from  the  army  of  General  Hull,  left  Detroit  on  the  13th  of 
August,  for  this  expedition. 

Gen.  Brock,  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  able  of  the  Bri- 
tish commanders  in  Canada,  arrived  at  Maiden  on  the  14th 
of  August,  just  five  days  after  the  armistice  before-mentioned 
was  to  have  taken  effect ;  and  moving  up  to  Sandwich  on  the 
15th  day  of  August,  he  summoned  General  Hull  to  surren- 
der. It  appears  that  the  British  General  heid  inquired  re- 
garding the  weak  points  of  the  character  of  his  opponent, 
and  had  taken  measures  accordingly.  As  matter  of  in- 
ducement, he  had  sent  a  message  to  Gen.  Hull  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect : — "  It  is  far  from  my  intention  to  join  in  a 
war  of  extermination,  but  you  must  be  aware  that  the  nu- 
merous body  of  Indians  who  have  attached  themselves  to  my 
troops,  will  be  beyond  my  control  the  moment  the  contest  com- 
mences." To  this  communication  Gen.  Hull  answered :    "  I 


I 


WAR  OP  1812. 


195 


le  Secretary 
aign,  alleged 
arms  farther 
he  battle  of 
ritish,  by  the 
ibarked  from 
attle  on  the 
miles  below 
eated,  under 

I  they  were 
having  been 
/as  detached 
torm  of  rain 
eral  Hull  to 
?!  Shawanese 
[led  his  bril- 
intained  his 
aving  about 
iS  were  now 
e  circuitous 
ir  and  Cass, 
J  best  troops 

the  13th  of 

3  of  the  Bri- 
on  the  14th 
■e-mentioned 
Iwich  on  the 

II  to  surren- 
inquired  re- 
is  opponent, 
atter  of  in- 
1  to  the  fol- 
io join  in  a 
that  the  nu- 
selves  to  my 
contest  com- 
iiwered :    "  I 


hare  no  other  repiy  to  make,  than  that  I  am  prepared  to 
meet  any  force  which  may  be  at  your  disposal."    A  know- 
ledge of  the  character  of  Gen.  Hull  convinced  Gen.  Brock 
that  he  had  only  to  assume  a  boldness  and  appearance  of  de- 
termination to  accomplish  his  own  designs.    His  procrasti- 
natmg  and  indecisive  spirit  while  in  Canada,  was  in  itself  a 
demonstration  of  the  character  of  Gen.  HuP  ;  and  it  is  alleged 
that  the  vessel  which  had  been  captuicd  at  Maiden  contained 
a  correspondence  exhibiting  a  want  of  energy  and  firmness. 
On  the  return  of  the  answer  of  Gen.  Hull,  Gen.  Brock  com- 
menced an  immediate  cannonade  upon  the  American  fort, 
which  was  returned  with  some  effect  on  the  American  side 
from  batteries  which  had  before  been  muzzled.    As  it  was 
probable,  from  the  appearance  of  an  armed  vessel  near  the 
British  side,  that  Gen.  Brock  intended  to  cross  the  river  at 
fcjprmgwell,  which  is  about  -  miles  below  Detroit,  either  at 
night  or  m  the  morning,  Captain  Snelling  was  sent  to  that 
point  in  order  to  prevent  his  passage.     It  was  proposed  that  a 
heavy  piece  of  ordnance  should  be  placed  on  that  bank,  to 
compel  the  removal  of  the  armed  vessel,  and  also  to  prevent 
the  crossmg  of  the  British  force.     Gen.  Hull,  however,  dis- 
regarded this  advice.     Such  a  piece  of  ordnance  would  have 
done  effective  service,  and,  if  abandoned,  it  might  have  been 
spiked.     The  detachment  under  Col.  Snelling  sent  out  for 
that  object,  was  ordered  to  return  by  break  of  day  to  the  fort 
The  Indian  confederates  of  the  English  on  the  frontier  of 
Michigan  in  1812,  were  led  by  Tecumseb.     This  warrior 
was  remarkable,  not  only  for  his  courage,  but  for  moral  traits 
of  character  which  made  him  prominent  among  the  savages. 
There  is  evidence  that  during  the  whole  course  of  the  wax 
he  was  opposed  to  the  savage  barbarities  which  were  com- 
mitted by  the  Indians  on  their  prisoners,  and  that  he  disdamed 
those  httle  personal  adornments  which  form  a  striking  feature 
of  Indian  taste.    His  form  and  countenance  were  of  a  noble 
cast.    About  five  feet  ten  inches  high,  he  was  muscular  and 
agile ;  and  had  a  dignified  expression  of  countenance,  with  an 
eye  like  that  of  the  eagle.    Like  Pontiac,  he  exhibited  more  of 
mquisitiveness  regarding  the  customs  of  the  whites  than  is 


;  111 
ij', 


196 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


"I 


usual  with  his  race.    In  the  battles  of  Brownstown,  and  at 
the  surrender  of  Detroit,  he  was  conspicuous.     As  an  evi- 
dence of  his  aptness  in  war,  Gen.  Brock,  before  he  crossed 
the  river  to  Detroit,  consulted  Tecumseh  as  to  the  character 
of  the  country  which  he  would  be  obliged  to  cross  in  case 
he  advanced  farther,     Tecumseh,  stretching  a  roll  of  elm 
bark  upon  the  ground,  with  stones  placed  on  each  corner, 
etched  with  his  scalping-knifc  a  correct  map  of  the  woods, 
swamps,  and  streams  of  this  portion  of  Michigan.     Gratified 
with  this  display  of  aptitude,  as  well  as  for  his  boldness  in 
inducing  the  Indians,  not  of  his  own  party,  to  cross  the  De- 
'  troit  River,  Brock  took  off  his  sash,  and  publicly  preserUed  it 
to  that  warrior  as  an  evidence  of  his  approbation  ;  but  Te- 
cumseh presented  it  to  the  Wyandot  Chief,  Round-Head,  be- 
cause, as  he  said,  the  Wyandot  Chief  was  an  older  and  better 
warrior  than  himself.     Although  Tecumseh  had  been  invest- 
ed with  the  rank  of  a  Brigadier-general  in  the  British  army, 
he  took  no  satisfaction  in  the  military  tinsel  of  civilized  war- 
fare, and  he  adhered  with  mideviating  perseverance  to  the 
Indian  garb.     During  the  whole  course  of  the  war  his  dress 
was  a  deer-skin  coat  and  leggins,  and  in  that  dress  he  was 
found  when  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames.     An  excellent 
judge  of  position,  his  counsel  was  at  all  times  valuable  to  the 
British  commanders.     When   Detroit   was  surrendered  by 
Gen.  Hull,  Tecumseh  was  at  the  head  of  the  confederated 
Indians  ;  and  being  requested  by  Gen.  Brock,  after  the  capitu- 
lation, not  to  allow  his  Indians  to  massacre  the  prisoners, 
"  No,"  said  he,  "  I  despise  them  too  much  to  meddle  with 
them."     He  was  naturally  of  a  silent  and  contemplative  cast 
of  mind,  better  fitted  for  the  stormy  duties  of  the  field  than 
the  discussions  of  the  council ;  but,  when  roused,  he  could 
pour   forth   volumes  of  indignant  and  burning  eloquence. 
Though  he  levied  large  subsidies  to  carry  on  his  operations, 
it  can  be  truly  said  to  his  credit  that  he  preserved  but  little 
to  himself.     He  fought  not  for  profit  or  glory,  but  for  the 
forests  and  the  wigwams  which  gave  him  birth,  for  the  rights 
of  his  fallen  race.    The  American  interest  in  his  quarter,  at 
that  period,  was  environed  with  a  powerful  antagonizing  in- 


I 


3 


WAR    OF    1812. 


197 


m 


wn,  and  at 

As  an  evi- 

he  crossed 
le  character 
ross  in  case 

roll  of  elm 
ach  corner, 

the  woods, 
.  Gratified 
boldness  in 
OSS  the  De- 
presented  it 
n;  but  Te- 
id-Head,  be- 
!r  and  better 
been  invest- 
itish  army, 
vrilized  war- 
ance  to  the 
ir  his  dress 
ess  he  was 
Ln  excellent 
uable  to  the 
3ndered  by 
onfederated 
'  the  capitu- 
}  prisoners, 
.eddle  with 
plative  cast 

field  than 
I,  he  could 

eloquence. 

operations, 
i  but  little 
)ut  for  the 
r  the  rights 
quarter,  at 
jnizing  in- 


fluence. Besides  the  open  and  avowed  enemies  of  the  British, 
there  were  large  bodies  of  traders  connected  with  the  British 
fur  companies,  which  would  have  leagued  themselves  with 
the  British  if  their  aid  was  granted  in  the  war.  It  was 
for  the  interest  of  these  traders  to  exclude  the  Americans 
fi  .  the  possession  of  the  country,  as  they  would,  in  the  event 
of  the  conquest  of  the  soil,  secure  a  wider  scope  for  the  exer- 
cise of  their  trading  operations.  At  all  events,  the  embodying 
of  these  traders  was  a  subject  of  great  dread  to  Gen.  Hull 
before  his  capitulation.  The  numerous  tribes  of  savages  on 
the  lakes,  led  on  by  the  British,  contributed  in  no  unaW  de- 
gree to  increase  the  terror  of  the  then  Governor  of  Michigan  ; 
commanded,  as  they  were,  by  Tecumseh,  Marpot,  Logan, 
Walk-in-the-Water,  Round-Head,  and  Split-Log,  each  able 
and  determined  chiefs  of  malignant  bands,  who,  under  the 
conviction  of  real  or  imaginary  wrongs,  hated  the  Americans 
with  the  utmost  in  tenseness,  and  had  determined,  by  the  aid 
of  the  British,  to  drive  them,  if  possible,  from  the  land. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  the  British  crossed  the 
river  under  cover  of  the  armed  vessel,  and  arrived  without 
opposition  at  Springwell.  Gen.  Brock  moved  with  his  army 
in  solid  column  along  the  bank  of  the  river  toward  Detroit. 
At  that  period  the  Indians  might  be  seen  creeping  along  the 
edge  of  the  forests  back  of  Detroit,  armed  and  painted  for 
battle,  like  tigers  crouching  for  their  prey.  When  about  a 
mile  below  the  city,  the  British  halted  and  took  breakfast, 
when  suddenly  an  order  was  given  by  Gen.  Hull  for  the 
force  which  had  been  posted  without  the  fort,  to  annoy  the 
enemy,  to  retire  within  its  walls.  This  order  was  received 
with  the  utmost  indignation  by  the  army,  as  the  men  retired 
within  the  fort,  s'.  eked  their  muskets,  some  of  them  dashing 
them  with  violence  upon  the  ground.  Soon  after  a  white 
flag  streamed  out  from  the  fort,  an  emblem  of  peace,  but  also 
of  disgrace  to  the  vanquished.  Negotiations  were  immediately 
commenced,  the  regular  troops  were  surrendered  as  prisoners 
of  war.  The  public  property  was  given  up.  No  stipulation 
was  made  in  favor  of  the  Canadian  allies,  and  the  militia  were 
ordered  to  return  to  theii  homes,  not  to  serve  again  during 


17/ 


]' '  (I 


'r^ 


198 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIQAN. 


I.  ii'«i  ' 


1  1 


1^     !• 


'.;l 


S     'W 


f:  'M 


L," 


■ 


the  war  unless  they  were  exchanged.    Thus  ungloriously 
terminated  the  campaign  of  Gen.  Hull  upon  the  north-western 
frontier.     For  this  surrender  he  was  tried  before  a  court- 
martial  for  treason  an  i  cowardice.     The  court  gave  a  ver- 
diet  of  acquittal  on  the  first  count,  but  condemned  him  on 
the  second,   for  cowardice  and  unofficer-like  conduct ;  and 
sentenced  him  to  death,  at  the  same  time  recommendino-  him 
to  the  mercy  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.     He  was 
pardoned  by  the  Executive,  but  at  the  same  time  exiled  from 
all  military  command.     The  British  force  is  stated  by  Gen, 
Brock  to  have  been  thirteen  hundred,  seven  hundred  of  whom 
were  Indians  ;  while  Gen.  Hull,  in  his  official  report,  states  the 
number  of  his  own  men  to  have  been  only  eight  hundred. 
Many  of  the  Canadian  militia  were  dressed  in  red  coats,  in  or- 
der to  appear  like  British  regulars.     It  seems,  in  fact,  that  before 
Gen.  Brock  had  reached  Springwell,  he  received  information 
from  an  Indian  of  the  arrival  of  M'Arthur's  detachment  in  the 
rear,  and  he  hastened  forward  to  prevent  the  defeat  of  his  plans 
before  the  American  forces  should  be  combined.     Col.  M'Ar- 
thur  surrendered  on  his  arrival  at  the  fort,  although  the  party 
temporarily  under  the  command  of  Captain  Rowland,  and 
which  had  been  dispatched  under  Captain  Brush,  being  then 
near  the  River  Raisin,  rejected  the  terms  and  retreated  to  Ohio. 

TheforceunderCol.Casswasalsoembracedinthecapitulation. 
A  feeling  of  deep  apprehension  seemed  to  pervade  the 
breast  of  Gen.  Hull  on  his  first  arrival  at  Detroit  from  the 
Canada  side.     He  had  sent  to  Captain  Heald  at  Chicago,  to 
evacuate  that  place  and  to  conduct  his  force  to  Detroit.     This 
was  attempted,  and  the  fort  was  destroyed.     Before  the  de- 
tachments under  Col.  Cass  and  M' Arthur,  he  suggested  to 
his  officers  the  propriety  of  removing  his  whole  force  to  the 
Rapids  of  the  Maumee,  on  the  ground  that  the  whole  British 
power  from  Niagara  east  along  the  upper  lakes  was  collect- 
ing at  Maiden  ;  that  Lake  Erie  was  shut  up  by  an  opposing 
force ;  and  that  all  his  stores  would  be  cut  off,  as  the  entire 
road  from  Ohio  to  Detroit  was  infested  by  hostile  Indians. 
This  resolution,  however,  was  not  countenanced  by  his  offi- 
cers,  and  he  was  told  that  the  Ohio  militia  would  desert  in  a 


WAR  OP   1812. 


199 


body  if  the  matter  was  attempted.    In  fact,  before  the  sur- 
render of  Detroit,  Gen.  Hull  communicated  his  design  to 
send  a  flag  of  truce  ;  but  he  was  advised  to  cull  a  council  of 
war,  in  order  to  consider  the  subject ;  but  he  was  answered 
that  there  was  no  time  for  consultation.     Gen.  Hull  subse- 
quently made  a  defence  of  his  conduct,  and  a  public  testimo- 
nial was  given  in  his  favor  in  the  city  of  Boston.     Some  of 
the  older  citizens  of  Detroit  allege  that  he  had  an  interview 
with  the  British  commandant  on  the  evening  previous  to  the 
capitulation,    and   that  boxes    of  gold  were  carried  to  his 
house  as  the  price  of  his  treason.     Of  that  charge  he  stands 
acquitted  by  the  verdict  of  his  country.     Party  feeling  at 
that  time  ran  high;  and  it  was  alleged  that  his  soldiers 
would  not  obey  him.     It  is  proved  that  the  guards  in  the 
fort  were  allowed  to  sleep  at  midnight   when  the  enemy 
were  impending.     Notwithstanding  the  want  of  forecast  in 
the  war  department  of  the  United  States,  in  not  furnishing  a 
knowledge  of  the  declaration  of  war,  and  providing  tlie  means 
ofdefencefor  the  north-western  frontier.  Gen.  Hull,  if  not 
adjudged  guilty  of  downright  treason,  ought  to  be  convicted 
at  the   bar  of  public  opinion  of  a  want  of  ordinary  general- 
ship and  firmness.     He  allowed  Col.  Proctor,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Col.  St.  George  in  the  command  at  Maiden,  to  erect 
batteries  under  the  very  guns  of  the  American  fort,  upon  the 
British  bank  of  the  river,  without  an  attempt  at  prevention. 
He  ordered  Col.  Miller  to  return  to  Monguagon,  when  he 
should  have  permitted  him  to  proceed  to  the  "River  Raisin. 
He.  neglected   the  nocturnal   attack  upon  General  Brock's 
forces,  which  bad  been  recommended  by  Gen.  Jesup.     He 
allowed  Gen.  Brock  to  cross  at  Springwell  without  molesta- 
tion.    He  was  guilty  of  procrastination  in  prosecuting  the 
siege  of  Maiden,  and  gave  up  the  foothold  which  he''  had 
already  gained  in  Canada  ;  and,  last  of  all,  when  the  British 
were  advancing  against  a  fort,  fortified  with  defences  and 
fitted  in  every  way  for  a  siege,  with  the  ramparts  strong,  the 
ditches  broad  and  deep,  upon  a  ground  filled  with  the  means 
ofannoyance,  and  mounted  with  cannon  loaded  with  grape 
shot,  which  would  have  mowed  down  harvests  of  death,  with 


4} , 


^  P.. 


200 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


Bi  )     i 


m 


■ 


.  nn  orchard  on  one  side  aflbrding  advantn^reous  posts  for  rifle- 
men, and  on  the  other  side  a  wide  river,  lie  hoisted  the  ban- 
ner of  peace,  and  gave  up  all  to  Jiritish  conquest.  Gen.  Hull 
had  bad  advisers,  but  he  ou<rht  to  have  relied  on  his  own 
judtrnient.  It  is  the  province  of  History  to  rake  out  truth, 
even  from  the  ashes  of  the  dead,  although  no  voice  of  defence 
can  issue  from  the  silence  of  the  tomb,  nnd  the  grave  bars 
the  door  to  human  nassions.  Time  had  sriven  decrepitude  to 
his  mind  and  body,  and  ago  had  bleacfied  his  silver  locks. 
The  stone  which  covers  his  grave  may  bo  inscribed  with  the 
brightest  records  of  his  early  fame,  and  Pity  sheds  a  tear  upon 
the  blot  which  blackens  the  monumental  marble.* 

As  it  was  made  an  important  object  to  open  a  communication 
with  the  River  Raisin,  six  hundred  men  were  detached  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Col.  Miller,  to  carry  out  that  design 
and  protect  the  provisions  under  the  escort  of  Captain  Brush. 
The  force  was  comprised  of  tlie  fourth  United  States  Regi- 
ment,  and  two  small  detachments  under  I'ne  command  or 
Lieut.  Stansbury,  and  a  portion  of  volunteers  from  Ohio  and 
Michigan.     When  the  detachment  had  proceeded  so  far  down 
the  Detroit  River  as  Mongnagon,  about  fourteen  miles  from 
Detroit,  they  were  fired  upon  by  a  long  line  of  British  troops 
and  Indians  from  Maiden,  which  was  formed  behind  a  breast- 
work of  logs,  and  stretching  along  the  dense  woods  on  the 
left.     The  Indian  portion  of  the  British  force  was  under  the 
command  of  Tecumseh.    Lieutenant  Miller  ordered  his  whole 
line  to  advance,  and  with  only  a  single  fire,  to  proceed  imme- 
diately to  a  charge  with  the  bayonet.     At  this  cliarge,  which 
was  executed  in  a  most  gallant  manner,  the  British  and  In- 
dians commenced  a  retreat,  and  continued  moving  on  ;  while 
the  Indians  at  the  left,  under  the  command  of  Tecumseh, 
fought  with  the  utmost  desperation.     So  great,  indeed,  was 
the  obstinacy  of  the  savages,  that  a  single  Indian,  whose  leg 

♦  It  is  stated  by  a  negro,  who  was  in  the  employment  of  Gen.  Hull,  that  tlie 
American  coicmandcr  passed  across  llie  Detroit  River  in  a  boat  on  the  night 
preceding  the  surrender  !  that  he  there  met  a  number  of  British  officers,  and  re- 
ceived  several  boxes  of  gold  as  the  price  of  his  treason.  It  is  due  to  justice  to 
say  that  no  credit  should  be  given  to  such  a  statement. 


WAR  OP   1812. 


201 


was 


wns  broken  by  a  muslcct  ball,  and,  wlieu  disabled  and  wriih- 
incr  upon    the  ground   from   the  aijfony  occasioned  by  tho 
wound,  deliberately  loaded  liis  rifle  and  sbot  a  horseman  bo- 
lon2:ing  to  the  cavalry,  who  had  straggled  in  that  direction. 
This  savage  continued   loading  and  firing   until   he  was 
despatched  by  the  breach  of  a  inusket.     Many  of  the  Indians 
were  at  that  time  seen  lodged  in  the  trees,  where,  with  their 
arrows  and  rifles,  they  elFectcd  the  most  dreadful  havoc.     At 
this  time  the  cavalry  did  not  charge  upon  the  enemy  as  they 
retreated ;  had  they  done  so,  the  victory  would  have  been 
complete  and  brilliant.     On  the  British  side,  the  regulars  and 
volunteers  consisted  of  about  four  hundred,  together  with  a 
largo  lumibcr  of  Indians,  commanded  by  I\Iajor  Muir  of  tho 
forty-first  regiment.    Major  Muir  and  I'ecumseh  were  wound- 
ed, while  forty  Indians  were  found  dead  upon  the  field.     The 
Americans  lost  ten  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 
killed,  and  forty-five  wounded  ;  and  of  the  Ohio  and  Michigan 
volunteers,  eight  were  killed  and  twelve  wounded. 

Captain  lleald  was  captured  under  the  walls  of  Chicago. 
Gen.  Hull,  while  in  Canada,  actuated  by  a  fear  of  the  hostile 
Indians,  had  sent  an  order  for  Lieutenant  Heald  to  evacuate 
that  post,  and  to  return  to  P\)rt  Wayne.     The  garrison  had 
at  that  time   the  amplest  means  of  defence,  but  the  order 
was  received  on  the  9th  of  August,  and  left  nothing  to  the 
discretion  of  the  commandant.     Captain  Wells,  who°was  not 
at  that  time  connected  with  tho  Indian  department,  having 
substantial  grounds  to  doubt  the  fidelity  of  the  Potawattamio 
tril)e,  advised  that  the  fort  should  be  immediately  evacuated 
before  the  Indians  should  have  time  to  concentrate  around  it  • 
but  his  advice  was  disregarded.     In  consequence  of  this  neg' 
lect,  before  tho  occupants  had  made  arrangements  to  leave  the 
fort,  about  four  hundred  Indians  had  collected  in  the  neigh- 
borhood.    A  promise  was  made  that  all  the  surplus  stores  of 
the  fort  should  be  at  their  disposal  if  they  would  forbear 
harassing  the  garrison  on  their  march.     It  was  conceived 
that  a  large  quantity  of  powder  and  whiskey,  which  had  been 
collected  in  tho  fori,  would  be  an  impolitic  gift  to  the  In- 
dians :  and  Captain  Ilcald  therefore  ordered  tlie  powder  to  bo 

20 


1 


(   s 


202 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


F  .5. 


thrown  into  the  well,  mid  the  whiskey  wasted.     This  was 
accordingly  done.     Durinrr  the  night,  by  sonic  means  which 
are  not  known,  the  Indians  received  intimation  ol'  this  liict, 
mid  regarded  the  waste  as  an  infringement  of  their  vested 
rights.     The  act  naturally  tended  to  exasperate  them  greatly, 
mid  they  therefore  assembled  in  considerable  numbers  around 
the  fort.     It  was  then  suggested  !  y  Captain  Wells  and  Mr. 
Kenzie,  an  Indian  agent,  that  a  r(!treat  would  be  unsafe  at  that 
time,  but  without  elfect.     Tlie  whiskey  having  been  destroyed 
and  the  ammunition  lost,  the  means  of  defending  the  fort 
were  gone  ;  and  the  garrison,  comprising  several  families, 
twelve  militia  men,  and  also  fifty-four  regular  troops,  took 
their  line  of  march  from  the  fort.     When  about  a  mile  irom 
the  fort,  the  Indians  were  jierceived  making  provisions  for  an 
attack,  and  the  garrison  prepared  for  a  deieiice.     After  a  short 
conflict,  Capt.  Heald  surrendered ;  when  several  women,  chil- 
dren,  and  about  half  his  garrison  had  been  killed.     The 
prisoners  were  distributed  among  the  tribes,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning  the  fort  was  burned  to  the  ground.     Captain 
Wells  was  an  early  victim  to  this  disastrous  conflict.     Dis- 
appointed at  the  blind  wilfulness  of  Captain  Heald,  in  ac- 
cordance with   the   Jiabits   of  the  savages  in  fits  of  disap- 
pomtment,  he  had  blackened  his  face,  and  was  thus  found 
among  the  slain.     Captain  Wells  was  a  remarlcablc  man. 
He  had  been  captured,  when  a  mere  child,  by  the  Indians, 
and  was  adopted  by  Mackinac,  the  Little  Turtle,  one  of  the 
fiercest  warriors  who  had  figured  in  Indian  history.     Durino- 
the  sanguinary  defeats  of  Harmar   mid  St.  Clair,  Captain 
Wells  had  commanded  an  Indian  force  of  about  three  hun- 
dred young  warriors.     I'hese  were  posted  immediately  in 
front  of  the  artillery,  mid  covering  themselves  behind  logs  and 
posts  under  knowls  on  which  the  guns  were  placed,  they  lite- 
rally heaped  up  around  the  guns  the  bodies  of  the  artillerists. 
After  that  contest,  Wells,  foreseeing  the  advancing  power  of 
the  whites,  icsolved  to  abandon  the  savages.     His  mode  of 
expressing  his  determination  was  peculiarto  the  savage  cus- 
tom.    Being  alone  in  the  wilderness  with  his  adopted\lher, 
he  remarked  :  <'When  the  sun  reaches  the  meridian,  I  leave 


iii 


4:^ 


WAR  OP  1813. 


This  wns 
aus  which 
f  this  fact, 
leir  vested 
iui  i|;reiitly, 
crs  (iioiind 
s  ond  Mr. 
safe  at  tliat 
destroyed 
,^  the  fort 
I  faiiilHes, 
Dops,  took 
mile  iroiii 
ons  for  an 
ter  a  sliort 
men,  chii- 
ed.     Thn 
1  the  fol- 

Captaiu 
ict.  Dis- 
Id,  in  ac- 
of  disap- 
us  found 
bic  man, 
Indians, 
nc  of  tlic 

Durino; 
Captain 
rec  hun- 
iately  in 
logs  and 
they  lito- 
tillerists, 
lower  of 
mode  of 
ag-c  cus- 
d  father, 
I;  I  leave 


203 


yon  for  the  Whites ;  and  whenever  yon  meet  me  in  hnnu 
nmst  1.11  n.,  as  I  shall  endeavor  to  do' the  .salt  ^ou  ""^I^^ 
We  Is  short  y  alter  ,,on,ed  the  army  of  Gen.  Wayne   andTv 
US  knowledge  of  Indian  enstoms  was  of  essont^  s'erv  ce  to 
1.0  Amcr.ean  forces,  and  fonght  with  signal  snccess      wT 
however,  the  war  was  conclnded,  and  p^^a     w  f    .tored^ 
ween  , he  Indmnsand  the  United  States  he  returned  This  fo  ' 
tor-father,  the  Lntle  Turtle,  and  continued  in  unbroken  i^^ 
ship  With  Inm  until  the  latter  died  in   1812      J^f"     ""^ 

After  the  capitulation  of  Detroit,  tlio  Rrifi.J,  n.f  i  r  i    , 

The  scene  of  the  military  operations  of  the  Ooven.men, 
m  18  .)  eomprtsed  the  whole  „or.h-weste™  fronfe  ol    ," 
Untted  States.     To  proseeute  the  eamp,.ig„,  the Tr,  w  rf   he 
Wes    w..,  organized  with  General  Harri  on   ™he  eom 
mander  and  w.a.,  stationed  at  the  head  of  Late  ErL    tie 
army  of  the  centre  w.ts  stationed  between  the  two  hi  IV  n 
tano  and  Erie,  and  was  eotntnanded  by  Oe  «      d  ^  1°": 
and  the  army  of  the  north  oecnpied  the  shores  of  L  he 

d  ^rof't'l,:"'  ""  """"'""'^^  "'  •"•'-»'  H""' P.on     Th 
h^d  I  ,Ie  ,   f  °?'""="  '™  "'  ='"'■'"""'"'  C""'"!' .  mid  they 


*.'i 


}■!■ 


11'^ 


m 


niSTORY    OF    MIcmOAX. 


grcssod  ns  far  as  Sandusky,  he  despatched  Gen.  Winchester 
to  tho  IMainnee  in  advance  of  his  troops.     Gen.  Winchester 
liad  sent  out  a  forafrjnu-  party  to  tiie  Kivcr  Kaisin,  and  it  ar- 
rived at  that  i>\im'.  on  the   I81I1  of  January,  lHi:{.     Tiiero 
tliey  dislodged  a  body  of  the  Indians      On  tlie  next  day,  Gen. 
Winchester,  having  a  force  of  about  a  thousand  men,  joined 
tho  advance  party,  and  encamped  on  tho  north  bank  of  tho 
River  Kaisin.     At  tlic  commencement  of  tho  winter  Gen. 
Harrison's  head-quarters  were  at  FrankHnton  in  Ohio.     Gen. 
Winchester  remained  at  Fort  Defiance,  with  about  eight  huu. 
drcd  men,  comprised  of  the  most  respectable  young  men  ol 
Kentucky,  until  information  was  received  that  French  Town 
was  in  danger  from  the  British  and  Indians.     A  force  was 
despatched  to  Presiju'  Isle,  there  to  remain  till  it  sliould  be 
joined  by  tlie  main  body  of  his  army,     lie  was  warned  of  tho 
approach  of  the  llritisli  from  Maiden,  but  he  made  no  extra- 
ordinary ertbrts   in   self-defence.     On  the  22d,  early  in  the 
morning,  Iiis  force  was  attacked  by  the  combined  force  of  tho 
British   and   Indians  under  Proctor,  and  tho  noted  Indian 
chiefs,  Round-Head  and  Split-Log.     The  left  flank,  under 
Major  Madison,  defended  themselves  with  the  utmost  vigor 
and  success,  but  being  without  any  general  comnmnder,  it 
soon  fell  back.     An  atteni[)t  was  then  made  to  retreat  across 
the  river  ;  but  that  movement  was  anticipated,  and  die  savages 
were  posted  in  a  position  to  oppose  their  progress.     During 
the  night.  Gen.  Winchester  had  taken  lodgings  upon  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river,  at  tlie  house  of  Col.  Robert  Navarre, 
and  was  not  therefore  prepared  to  make  a  defence.     Major 
ATadison,  who  liad  fought  with  so  much  gallantry,  was  soon 
informed  by  Gen.  Winchester,  who  was  then  a  prisoner,  that 
the  party  had  been  surrendered,     lie  had,  however,  taken 
the  precaution  to  enter  into  a  formal  stipulation  with  Gen. 
Proctor  to  jirotect  his  troops  from  the  ferocity  of  the  savages 
after  tliey  should  have  surrendered. 

The  Imttle  of  the  River  Raisin  developes  one  of  the  most  in- 
famous transactions  which  marked  the  operations  of  the  war  of 
1812.  Gen.  "Winchester  having  arrived  at  French  Town,  en- 
camped on  the  banks  of  the  Raisin,  which  now  constitutes  tho 


WAR    OF    1812 


205 


Winchester 
Winchester 
and  it  ar- 
il There 
t  diiy,  Gen. 
uon, joined 
tink  of  tho 
inter  Gen. 
hio.  Gen. 
eight  hun 
iig  men  oJ 
nch  Town 
force  was 
slioiild  he 
rnod  of  tho 

no  extra- 
iriy  in  tho 
brce  of  the 
cd  Indian 
mk,  under 
Host  vigor 
nuinder,  it 
"eat  across 
he  savages 
.  During 
on  the  op- 
t  Navarre, 
;e.     Major 

was  soon 
soner,  tliat 
ver,  taken 
with  Gen. 
le  savages 

'le  most  in- 

the  war  of 

Town,  en- 

stitntes  tho 


Fronch  Town  side  of  tho  river,  and  while  Col.  T.nwis  and  Ma- 
jor Madison  seemed  to  l^e  on  the  alert,  tlie  American  troops  oc- 
cnpied  a  greater  part  of  the  night  in  ranging  ahout  the  village. 
During  the  evening,  a  Frenchman  brought  information  that  a 
force,  consisting  of  Hritish  and  Indians,  supposed  to  comprise 
nhoiit  tliree  thousand  men,  were  about  to  march  from  Maiden 
soon  after  he  left  that  place.     This  information,  however, 
seemed  to  bo  discredited,  because  no  preparations  of  any  con- 
sequence were  made  in  the  American  camp  to  guard  them- 
selves against  surprise.     Guards,  however,  were  placed  as 
usual  around  the  encampment,  although  no  picket  guard  was 
placed  on  the  road  through  wliich  the  enemy  might  be  sup- 
posed to  advance.     The  night  was  extremely  cold,  and  on 
the  morning  of  the  22d.  the  reveille  beat  as  usual  at  day- 
break.    A  few  minutes  after  tliree,  guns  were  fired  in  quick 
succession  by  the  centuiels.     The  troops  were  soon  formed, 
and  the  American  camp  was  immediately  attacked  by  a  hea- 
vy fire  from  the  British,  with  bombs,  balls,  and  grape  shot. 
At  night  the  Hritish  had  taken   advantage  of  the  darkness, 
and  planted  their  cannon  on  the  right  behind  a  small  ravine. 
The  fire  from  the  cannon  was  suddenly  succeeded  by  a  gene- 
ral discharge  from  the  fire  arms  of  the  British  regulars,  to- 
gether with  the  onset  of  the  savages  with  the  most  fiendish  yells. 
The  regulars  of  the  British  soon  approached  within  reach 
of  the  fire  arms  of  Lewis's  camp,  and  they  were  soon  repulsed 
in  the  left  and  centre.     Gen.  Winchester  having  arrived  from 
tlie  opposite  bank  of  the  river  with  a  reinforcement,  opposed 
to  the  heavy  fire  of  the  British,  and  unprotected  by  any  breast- 
work, soon  fell  back.     The  order  was  then  given  for  the  re- 
treating troops  to  rally  behind  a  fence  and  the  second  bank 
of  the  river,  to  incline  toward  the  centre,  and  take  refuire  be- 
hind  the  pickets.     This  order  was  either  not  heard  or  under- 
stood ;  and  the  necessary  consequence  was,  that  the  retiring 
line,  being  pressed  by  the  British,  and  attacked  on  their  right 
by  the  Indians,  retreated  in  great  disorder  over  the  river. 

In  the  mean  time  the  right  wing  was  attempted  to  be  rein- 
forced by  a  detachment  sent  out  from  the  pickets  of  the  Ame- 
rican camp,  together  with  Colonels  Lewis  and  Allen,  who 


i 


Ifi'^;', 


206 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


I  f  vi  i 


'i    :!? 


exerted  their  eflbrts  to  rally  the   retreating  soldiers,  and  also 
those  who  hud  been  scattered  through  the  gardens  and  pick- 
ets of  the  village.     This,  however,  was  done  without  success. 
The  ^suddenness  of  the  attack,  the  want  of  preparation,  and 
the  British  force,  whose  vigorous  onset,  together  with  the  In- 
dians, who  made  the  battle-field  more  Jiorrible  by  their  yells, 
caused  a  general  panic  among  the  American  troops.    Indians 
\V(r,>  stationed  upon  almost  every  avenue  which  could  com- 
mand a  retreat,  and  upon  the  edge  of  the  bordering  forests. 
A  long  narrow  lane  leading  froin'the  village,  and  which  the 
soldiers  attempted  to  pass  through,  was  guarded  on  both  sides 
by  Indians  ;  and  the  retreating  Americans  were  shot  down 
in  great  numbers.     A  party  of  a  hundred  men,  who  liad 
fled  to  the  borders  of  the  woods,  were  surrounded  and  mas- 
sacred witJi  the  tomakawk  ;    while  the  flying  soldiers  wore 
met  at  every  point  by  the  Indians,  who,  with  that  refinement 
of  cruelty  which  belongs  to  their  vindicative  character,  brained 
them  with  the  war  club  and  the  hatchet. 

Col.  Allen  behaved  with  extraordinary  courage  during  tlie 
whole  action,  having  several  times  endeavored  to  rally  his 
men,  but  without  success,  although  he  was  wounded  in  the 
thigh.     Having  escaped  about  two  miles  from  the  spot  where 
the  action  had  chiefly  raged,  and  exhausted,  from  the  loss  of 
blood  as  well  as  from  fcitigue,  sat  on  a  log,  when  lie  was  seen 
by  an  Indian,  who  knew  from  his  dress  that  he  was  an  ofliccr 
of  distinction,  and  therefore  wished  to  take  him  prisoner. 
Coming  near  the  American,  the  savage,  who  was  an  Indian 
chief,  threw  his  gun  across  his  lap,  and  told  him  to  surrender. 
At  the  same  time  another  Indian,  who  advanced  with  hostile  at- 
titude, was  laid  dead  at  his  feet  by  one  stroke  from  the  sword 
of  Col.  Allen;  Col.  Allen,  one  of  the  most  respectable  citizens 
of  Kentucky,  was  then  shot  by  a  third  Indian.     Detached 
parties  of  men,  who  had  escaped  to  those  points  where  escape 
seemed  possible,  were  shot  down,  and  their  unburied  bodies 
were  left  to  feed  the  wolves  and  Indian  dogs.     About  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  village.  Gen.  Winchester  and  Col. 
Allen,  together  with  a  few  others,  were  captiu'ed  at  a  bridge, 
and  taken  to  the  British  lines  after  having  been  stripped'of 


WAU  OF   1812. 


207 


their  coats.  It  is  affirmed  that  Round-Head,  who,  too-etlier 
witli  Spht-LoiT,  commanded  the  savages,  was  seen  arrayed  in 
his  dress  on  that  occasion. 

Wliile  these  scenes  were  passing  aronnd,  Majors  Graves  and 
Madisonhad  maintamed  then-  position  within  the  pickets  of  the 
American  camp,  aUhougli  assailed  by  Proctor  and  his  savages. 
A  cannon  was  posted  by  tJie  British  bcinnd  a  honse  about  Uvo 
hundred  yards  down  the  river.  By  this  the  camp  was  con- 
siderably annoyed.  No  ground,  Iiowever,  was  yielded.  "  Ne- 
ver mnid  me,  but  fignt  on,"  said  Major  Graves,  a  gallant  offi- 
cer to  Ins  soldiers,  while  he  bound  up  his  own  wound  which 
Had  been  received  in  the  luiee. 

The  American  army  having  been  routed,  a'llag  was  seen 
advancing  from  the  liritish  lines,  and  conveying  an  order 
trom  Gen.  Winchester,  directing  the  officers  of  the  Ameri- 
can lorces  to  surrender  them  prisoners  of  war.     Col.  Proctor 
demanded  an  immediate  surrender,  and  threatened  if  this  was 
denied,  the  village  should  be  burned,  and  the  Indians  should 
be  permitted  to  go  forward  in  an  indiscriminate  massacre 
He  was  answered  by  Major  Madison,  that  it  had  been  custo- 
mary for  the  Indians  to  massacre  the  wounded  and  prisoners 
after  a  surrender,  and  that  he  would  not  agree  to  any  capitu- 
lation which  General  Winchester  might^  direct,  unless  the 
salety  and  protection  of  his  men  were  stii.ulated.     "  Sir,"  said 
Col.  1  roctor,  "  do  you  mean  to  dictate  to  me  r'     <;  No  "  said 
Madison  ;  "  I  mean  to  dictate  for  myself,  and  we  prefer  sellino- 
our  ives  as  dear  as  possible,  rather  than  be  massacred  in  cold 
blood.'     A  surrender  was  accordingly  ogreed  upon  in  the 
following  terms  :  that  private  property  should  be  respected  ; 
that  the  next  morning  sleds  should  be  sent  to  convey  the  sick 
and  wounded  to  Amherstburgh ;  and  that  the  side  arms  of  the 
ollicers  should  be  restored  to  them  at  xMalden.     These  terms 
were  perfected,  while  the  Indians  commenced  a  general  plun- 
der.    Major  Madison  havi.ig  received  information  of  this  con- 
duct, ordered  his  men  to  exclude  all  Indians  from  his  lino 
and  li  they  came  into  the  lines  and  attempted  violence,  to 
slioot  or  charge  them  witli  the  bayonet. 

These  troops  were  comprised,  in  airreat  measure,  of  volun- 


s."  . 


■ii 


*l 


I 


208 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


1  '^ 

M 

r 
j 

i. 

I   fi 

■"! ! 

1   . 

>    "; 

s 

1 1,      »l 


,1      :r 


;  ^f 

1    IL 

;    i'  '4i* 

i  ■  5     ,   ■ 

\' 

teers  from  some  of  the  most  respectable  families  of  Kentucky, 
young  men  of  chivalrous  character,  in  the  full  bloom  and  glory 
of  ripening  manhood. 

But  the  crowning  disgrace  of  this  transaction  remains  to  he 
described.  AVliile  the  principal  part  of  the  Indians  went  to 
Stony  Creek,  about  six  miles  below  Maiden,  a  few  stragglers 
remained,  who  went  from  house  to  house  in  quest  of  plunder. 
The  prisoners  of  the  British  still  remained  at  French  Town. 
About  sunrise,  a  large  body  of  Indians,  comprising  about  two 
hundred,  returned,  painted  black  and  red  ;  and  a  council  being 
held,  it  was  determined  to  massacre  the  Americans  in  revenge 
for  the  loss  of  their  warriors.  The  savages  soon  began  to  yell, 
and  to  plunderthe  housesof  the  inhabitants.  Breakinginto  the 
houses  where  the  wounded  prisoners  were  lying,  they  stripped 
them  of  their  blankets,  and  then  brained  them  with  their  toma- 
hawks. Two  of  the  houses,  which  contained  a  greater  part  of 
the  prisoners,  were  set  on  fire,  and  most  of  the  wounded  were 
consumed.  Those  who  were  able  to  crawl  about,  and  who  en- 
deavored to  escape  from  the  windows,  were  wounded  with  the 
hatchet  and  pushed  back  into  the  tlames  ;  while  others  on  the 
outside  were  killed,  and  thrown  into  tlie  conflagration,  others 
were  massacred  and  left  in  tin;  highway.  Major  Woolfolk,  the 
secretary  to  Gen.  Winchester,  was  shot  through  the  head, 
and  left  in  the  street,  where  he  was  partly  devoured  by  the 
hogs  before  he  was  removed.*  The  few  prisoners  who  re- 
mained were  taken  towards  Maiden,  but  as  soon  as  they  be- 
came by  their  weakness  unable  to  march,  they  were  massa- 
cred, and  left  dead  upon  the  road.  Thus  ended  this  affair  of  the 
River  Raisin,  a  foul  blot  on  the  character  of  General  Proctor.f 

■  "Their  very  graves  are  gone,  and  what  are  they  ? 
The  tide  washed  down  tlie  blood  of  yesterday  f 
And  all  was  stainless,  and  on  tliy  clear  stream 
Glassed  with  its  dancing  light  the  sunny  ray, 
But  o'er  the  black  en'd  memory's  bligliting  dream. 
Thy  waves  would  vainly  roll." 

♦  Sec  Life  of  Gen.  Harrison,  by  Moses  Dawson. 

f  It  is  stated,  by  a  respectable  citizen  of  Monrno,  formerly  an  Indian  trader, 
that  the  Indians  were  provided  with  whiskey  at  Stoney  Creek,  by  the  British,  in 
order  to  excite  tliem  to  tliis  massacre. 


1 


^1 


WAR    OF    1812. 


209 


The  information  of  the  capture  of  Gen.  Winchester  reached 
Gen.  Harrison  while  on  the  way  to  aid  tlie  American  CJene- 
ral.     As  there  was,  therefore,  no  benefit  in  advancing-,  Gen. 
Harrison  was  induced  to  stop  at  the  Rapids,  where  he  con- 
structed a  fort,  called  Fort  Meigs.     At  that  place  he  was  be- 
sieged by  Gen.  Proctor,  with  a  force  of  about  one  thousand 
regulars  and  militia,  and  twelve  hundred  Indians,  lor  the 
space  of  nine  days.     Finding  this   siege  ineffective,   Gen. 
Proctor  soon  retired  to  Maiden.     Gen.  Harrison  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Franklinton,  leaving  the  fort  in  charge  of  Gen. 
Clay.     A  remforccment,  of  about  twelve  hundred  men,  was 
sent  out  from  Kentucky.     Gen.  Harrison,  on  returning  to  the 
fort,  was  summoned  to  surrender  to  the  Britisli,  but  lii^  reply 
was  worthy  of  Leonidas.     He  answered,  "  That  he  would  not, 
while  he  commanded,  surrender  to  a  force  in-ged  on  by  savage 
allies."    General  Harrison  was  soon  reinforced  by  eight  hun- 
dred men  under  General  Clay.     They  destroyed  the  batteries 
which  had  been  erected  on  the  otlier  side  of  the  river.     Soon 
afterwards  a  sortie  was  made  from  the  fort,  and  the  British 
and  Indians  fled,  pursued  by  Col.  Dudley.     In  then  advance, 
however,  they  soon  came  upon  an  ambush  of  the  Indians' 
and  only  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  their  men  escaped.     This 
ambush  was  laid  under  the  direction  of  Tecumseh.     The  suc- 
cessive disasters  wliich  had  befallen  the  Territory  of  Michi- 
gan covered  it  witli  gloom,  and  it  was  feared  that  the  British 
power  would  gain  the  ascendancy  upon  the  north-western 
frontier  ;  although  the  operations  of  Gen,  Harrison  upon  the 
Ohio  frontier  occasionally  threw  flashes  of  hope  across  the 
darkness.     The  actual  position  of  Michigan,  in  connection 
with  the  war,  was  not,  however,  altered  until  the  action  of 
Conmwdore  Perry  with  the  British  fleet  on  the  lOtli  of  Sep- 
tember, 1813,  which  connected  Michigan  once  more  with 
the  Union,  by  the  establishment  of  a  free  passage  for  the 
American  forces  across  Lake  Erie. 

Ohio  and  Kentucky  had  aroused  at  tlie  call  of  Gen. 
Hull  for  aid  at  the  commencement  of  the  north-western 
campaign,  and  a  force  was  raised  consisting  of  about  seven 
thousand  men  from  Kentucky,  and  about  half  of  that  num- 

27 


# 


i'iW>'. 


210 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


'■  » 


ber  from  the  adjoining-  Sfato  of  Ohio.  Virginia  and  Penn- 
sylvania had  also  liirnishcd  tlieir  quota  of  men  for  the  same 
objects.  But  these  troops,  taken,  as  they  were,  from  the  vo- 
lunteers of  the  several  States,  exhibited  more  of  courage  and 
patriotism  in  the  cause  of  their  country,  than  military  disci- 
pline and  subordination.  An  army  constituted  of  such  men 
were  actually  on  the  advance  throucrh  Ohio  to  the  aid  of 
Gen.  Hull  when  they  received  the  information  of  liis  sur- 
render at  Detroit.  A  general  confederation  of  Indians  upon 
the  north-western  frontier,  similar  to  that  which  had  before 
been  established  by  Pontiac,  had  also  been  efl'ected  by  Te- 
cumseh,  aided  by  his  brother,  the  Prophet.  This  alliance, 
instigated  by  the  British  against  the  United  States,  harassed 
the  Americars  on  every  side. 

The  great  disadvantage  which  was  experienced  by  the  Ame- 
ricans in  conducting  the  war,  was,  the  fact  that  they  were  cut  ofl 
from  all  aid  from  the  Eastern  Slates  by  the  way  of  Lake  Erie. 
It  was  an  important  object,  therefore,  for  the  American  cause  to 
obtain  the  command  of  that  inland  sea.  That  lake  was  watched 
with  lynx  eyed  vigilance  by  a  British  fleet  under  the  command 
of  Commodore  Barclay,  which  constantly  hovered  around  the 
Canadian  shores.  In  order  to  secure  the  command  of  ihe  lake, 
an  American  fleet  was  built  under  great  disadvantages  at 
Erie,  in  Pennsylvania,  a  port  on  the  lake  shore.  She  was 
placed  under  the  command  of  a  young  officer,  Commodore 
Oliver  Hazard  Perry.  The  fleet  of  Commodore  Perry  could 
not  cross  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  Erie  harbor  with  her 
armaments,  and  lie  was  watched  with  sleepless  scrutiny  by 
the  British  commander,  under  the  conviction,  that  if  he  ven- 
tured out  at  all  under  these  circumstances  he  would  be  de- 
feated. Commodore  Perry  was  induced  to  ride  at  anchor  for 
some  days  in  tlie  harbor  of  Erie.  At  this  tryingjuncture,  the 
British  fleet  somewhat  relaxed  its  vigilance,  and  in  September 
retired  to  the  upper  end  of  the  lake.  The  American  com- 
mander then  sallied  across  the  bar,  and  prepared  his  fleet  for 
action.  The  American  and  British  fleets  were  now  both  on 
the  wide  expanse  of  Eake  Erie,  the  tonnasfe  of  both  fleets  was 
about  equal,  and  a  young  American  officer  was  about  to  con- 


1 1 


WAR    OP    1812. 


211 


lend  with  Commodore  Barclay,  a  veteran  in  the  British  ser- 
vice, and  on  the  iwaf^^ted  element  of  the  Biitisli  navy. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th  of  September,   1813,  Commo- 
dore Perry  called  alongside  the  ship  of  Capt.  Elliot,  and  left 
word  that  he  wished  to  see  Capt.  Elliot  and  Capt.  Brevoort  in 
the  evening  on  board  the  Lawrence.     The  unhealthy  con- 
dition of  the  crew  was  at  that  time  stated.     But,  after  delibe- 
ration, it  was  deteimined,  if  opportunity  presented,  to  attack 
the  enemy  in  the  Detroit  River.     Captain  Elliot  was  to  lead 
and  attack  the  ship  Detroit  at  her  moorings,  and  Commodore 
Perry  was  to  silence  the  battery  which   covered  her  on  the 
main  land,  and  act  as  circumstances  required.     At  daylight 
on  the  next  morning,  while  the  anchors  were  a  peak  and  the 
crew  were  shaking  out  the  top-gallant  sails,  the  enemy  was 
discovered  near  the  Middle  Sister,  an  island  in  Lake  Erie, 
coming  down  under  a  light  sail.     After  J)eating  out  of  Put  in 
Bay,  the  fleet  ranged  alongside  of  the  Lawrence,  when  Capt. 
Brevoort  was  requested  by  Commodore  Perry  to  name  the 
different  ships  of  the  enemy.     This  he  did.     Tlie  following 
was  found  to  be  the  force  of  the  British  squadron  : 

Ship  Detroit,  19  guns,  1  on  pivot,  2  howitzers. 

Queen  Charlotte,  17  guns,  1  do. 

Schooner  Lady  Prevost,  13  guns,  1  do. 

Brig  Hiuiter,  10  guns. 

Sloop  Little  Belt,  3  guns. 

Schooner  Cliippeway,        1  gun,  2  swivels. 

63 

The  squadron  of  the  United  States  consisted  of  the 
Brig  Lawrence,    20  guns. 
20  guns. 


Niagara, 

Caledonia, 

Schooner  Ariel 

Scorpion, 

Somers, 

Sloop  Trippe, 

Schooner  Tigress,  1  gun 

Porcupine, 


3  guns. 

4  guns,  one  burat  early  in  the  action. 
2  guns. 
2  guns  and  2  swivels. 


1  gun. 


1  gun. 


M 


'1    I 


i  VI 


1 1 
a*' 


!r 


III 


iiliii 


212 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


After  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  discovered,  the  arrano-e- 
mentofthe  previous  evening  was  reversed,  and  it  was  de- 
termined by  Commodore  Perry  to  attack  the  fK\?-ship  him- 
self; to  oppose  the  Caledonia  to  the  Hunter,  the  Niagara  to  the 
Hoyal  Charlotte ;  and  the  rest  of  the  American  fleet  were  or- 
dered to  attack  tlieir  opponents  by  signal,  and  act  according 


'me  the  v.md  was  hght  and 


lo  the  circumstances.     At  *' 

ahead,  but  fmaily  changed       ;  of  the  Americans.     Pre- 

vious to  the  action,  the  Ariel  ■.  Scorpion  were  ordered  to 
take  post  on  '•  the  weather  bow  and  ahead "'  of  the  Lawrence, 
in  order  to  draw  off  a  part  of  tlie  fire  of  tlie  enemy,  as  they 
carried  long  guns,  which  did  great  execution. 

The  action  was  commenced  by  the  British  from  their  flag- 
ship before  a  gun  was  fired  from  tlie  American  squadron,  as 
tlie  last  were  at  too  great  a  distance.     At  length  a  fire  was 
opened  upon  her  by  the  Lawrence,  and  as  they  neared,  it  was 
commenced  by  the  whole  fleet.     The  breeze  soon  freshened, 
and  the  Niagara  shot  ahead  ;  Lieut.  Turner  of  the  Caledonia 
was  requested  by  Capt.  Elliot  to  put  his  helm  up,  and  permit 
him  to  pass  to  the  relief  of  tlie  Lawrence.     About  that  time 
the  ball  of  the  Niagara  getting  short,  the  hold  was  broken  up 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  some  of  thirty-two  pounds,  which 
was  stored  as  ballast ;  when  it  was  found  that  the  Niagara  had 
received   several   shots   between  wind  and  water.     Several 
having  been  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  Niagara,  and 
after  she  had  repaired  her  rigging,  which  had  been  conside- 
rably damaged,  a  boat  was  despatched  to  the  Lawrence  for 
large  ball.     At  the  same  time  a  boat  was  descried  coming 
from  the  Lawrence  to  the  Niagara,  whose   top-sails  were 
thrown  aback  for  the  purpose  of  allowing  her  to  come  along- 
side.    It  was  Commodore  Perry.     He  was  met  at  the  gang- 
way by  Captain  Elliot  and  Captain  Brevoort.     "  I  am  afraid"^" 
says  he,  "  the  day  is  lost,  these  d— d  gun  boats  have  sacrificed 
me."     «  No,"  said  Elliot,  "  take  charge  of  my  battery,  and  I 
will  bring  them  up,  and  save  it ;"  and  immediately  depa..ed 
for  that  object  in  tlie  same  boat. 

The  Niagara  having  before  driven  the  Royal  Charlotte  out 
ofline  with  grape  and  langrade,  continued  her  course,  and 


WAR    OP    1812. 


213 


attacked  the  enemy's  fl.ijr-ship  with  tremendous  discharges  of 
grape  shot.     Thi;  whole  crew  of  the  British  sliip  was  driven 
below.     AI)ont  this  time  Capt.  Elliot  came  up,  and  took  a 
raking  position  under  the  Detroit's  stern,  and  by  the  first  dis- 
chargt!  killed  and  wounded  si.xty  on  board  the  enemy's  11a"-- 
ship,  which  terminated  the  action.     It  appears  that  the  tiug 
of  the  Royal  Charlotte  had  been  nailed  to  the  mast,  and,  as 
the  crew  was  driven  below  from  the  severity  of  the  fire,  it 
was  a  matter  of  surprise,  that  the  British  flag  should  be  flying 
while  no  resistance  was  made  ;  and.  amid  the  confusion  o°f 
battle,  the  Charlotte,  which  was  abreast  of  the  Detroit  when 
she  was  grappled  by  the  American  fleet,  and  actually  shot 
through  the  bulwarks.*    At  length  a  white  garment  w;is  shaken 
from  the  end  of  a  pike,  both  at  the  bough  and  stern,  which 
indicated  the  surrender  of  the  British  fleet  to  the  Americans. 
The  number  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  American 
fleet  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-three— twenty-seven  killed 
and  ninety-six  wounded. f 

The  success  of  the  American  fleet  on  Lake  Eric  opened 
the  way  for  the  progress  of  General  Harrison,  who,  on  the 
23d  of  September,  advanced  towards  Maiden.     On  his  ar- 
rival at  Amherstbnrgh,  instead  of  finding  the  British  arms 
ready  to  oppose  him,  he  met  the  Canadians,  with  their  wives 
and  daughters,  bearing  in  their  hands  tlie  emblems  of  peace, 
who  had  there  assembled  to  solicit  his  protection.     General 
Proctor  had  evacuated  Maiden,  after  liaving  burned  the  fort 
and  public  store-houses,  and  retired  to  the  Moravian  Towns 
on  the  Thames  about  eighty  miles  from  Detroit.     The  Ame- 
rican force  then  took  possession  of  ]:)etroit.     On  the  next  day 
General  Harrison  marched  in  pursuit  of  Proctor  ;  and  the 
Battle  of  the  Thames,  in  which  Proctor  was  defeated  together 
with  an  army  of  two  thousand  men,  many  of  whom"  were 
Indians,  concluded  the  brilliant  campaign  of  General  Harri- 
son upon  the  north-western  frontier. 

*  For  an  account  of  this  battle,  the  author  ia  indebted  to  Capt.  H.  B.  Brevoort, 
who  is  mentioned  in  terms  of  higii  commendation  in  the  olHcial  despatches  of 
Commodore  Perry. 

t  Brannan's  OfHcial  Letters. 


';  r 


214 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


But  tlie  most  important  battle  of  this  section  of  the  country 
nfTecting  tlie  prosperity  of  Michisian,  was  that  of  the  Moravian 
Towns  upon  »hn  Tlianios.     Col.  Proctor  had  been  advised 
by  the  chief  of  tlic  Indian  forces,  Tecumseh,  to  hazard  an 
encounter  at  Maiden,  but  neglecting  this  advice,  he  had  pro- 
ceeded to  the  post  which  has  been  mentioned.     His  force  at 
this  time  consisted  of  eight  or  nine  hundred  British  troops, 
and  fideen  iiundred  Indians,  commanded  by  Tecumseh  in 
person.     The  American  army  was  composed  of  twenty-seven 
hundred,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  twenty  were  regulars, 
thirty  were  Indians,  and  the  remainder  were  militia  infantry 
and  mounted   vohm'.ecrs,  armed  with   rifles   and   muskets. 
Some  of  these,  however,  were  constituted  of  the  chivalry  of 
Kentucky,  men  in  the  vigor  of  youth,  who  were  burning 
with  revenge  at  the  dastardly  massacre,  which  had  been  per- 
petrated by  the  agency  of  Proctor,  of  their  brothers  and  friends 
at  the  Ptiver  Raisin.     The  Indians  were  posted  in  a  swamp. 
Extending  in  a  line  of  unknown  distance,  they  formed  tlie 
right  wing;  while  the  British  troops,  drawn  up  between  the 
swamp  and  a  river  which  was  not  fordable,  formed  the  le^t. 
It  was  evident  that  the  British  wing  was  the  weakest  part  of 
the  position,  and  accordingly  it  was  determined  by  Gen.  Har- 
rison to  attack  the  British  with  his   right  reinforced  with  all 
the  disposable  force  of  his  left.     The  lines  of  the  right  wing 
were  therefore  increased  to  two  or  three,  and  presented  a  front 
as  extensive  as  the  British  infantry,  while  a  refused  wing  was 
thrown  bade  in  a  line  at  right  angles  with  the  other  troops, 
])resenting  a  front  parallel  to  the  swamp.     The  regular  troops 
formed  a  detachment  to  seize  the  enemy's  artillery,  and  the 
lew  friendly  Indians  were  ordered  to  attack  his  flank  from 
their  position  under  the  bank. 

While  these  arraiigeinents  were  in  operation,  they  were 
in  front  of  the  British  troops,  and,  as  they  could  not  cross 
the  river,  they  were  directed  to  penetrate  the  swamp,  and 
turn  the  right  of  the  Indians.  The  American  infantry 
were  on  the  point  of  being  set  in  motion,  when  Major 
Wood,  who  had  been  sent  to  reconnoitre  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  returned,  and  informed  the  American  General  that 


Jii. 


HARRISONS   VICTORY    ON    THE    TIIAMI03. 


215 


I  ^:l 


and 


the  British  were  in  two  lines,  and  beinor  unable  to  occupy 
the  whole  space  between  tlie  swamp  and  the  river  in 
close  order,  they  had  accomplished  it  by  openintr  their  files. 
At  this  instant  a  sudden  tfionght  flashed  upon  Gen.  Har- 
rison,—"  Instead  of  sending  Johnson  to  the  swamp,  he  shall 
charge  upon  the  British  lines.  Although  without  sabres,  and 
armed  only  with  rifles  and  muskets,  he  will  break  tlirongh 
them."  This  was  no  sooner  said  than  done.  A  desperate 
charge  was  made,  the  enemy  were  routed  and  put  to  flight ; 
and  Tecumseh,  the  leader  of  the  savages,  was  killed,  it  is 
supposed,  by  the  present  Vice-President  of  the  United  States, 
Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson.  The  army  remained  during  the 
6th  upon  the  battle-field,  to  lake  care  of  the  wounded,  to  bury 
the  dead,  and  to  provide  for  the  transportation  of  stores  which 
had  been  taken  from  the  enemy.  Having  left  the  command 
of  the  army  with  Governor  Shelby,  Gen.  Harrison  set  out  on 
the  morning  of  the  7th,  accompanied  by  Commodore  Perry 
and  his  aids-de-camp,  and  arrived  at  Detroit  on  the  succeed- 
ing day.* 

It  was  in  anticipation  to  despatch  a  body  of  troops  to  re- 
duce Mackinaw.  Certain  vessels  and  troops  were  designated 
for  that  purpose,  but  it  was  prevented  by  the  non-arrival  of 
two  schooners,  the  Chippeway  and  Ohio,  which  had  been 
sent  to  Cleaveland  and  Bass  Islands  lor  provisions.  I'hey 
had  arrived  otf  Maiden,  but  a  storm  from  the  westward  drove 
them  to  tlie  lower  end  of  the  lake,  where  they  stranded.  The 
supplies  which  they  contained  were  found  necessary  for  the 
expedition,  and  Conunodore  Perry  was  unwilling  to  hazard 
the  vessels  upon  the  Upper  Lakes,  unless  they  could  depart 
immediately.  This  movement  of  Gen.  Harrison  thus  effec- 
tually  uprooted  the  British  power  from  this  part  of  the  north- 
west, and  General  Cass  was  left  with  a  brigade  to  protect  tlie 
territory  of  Michigan. 

Tecumseli,  the  Shawanese  warrior,  in  connexion  with  his 
brother,  was  the  grand  instigator  of  the  anglo-savage  confe- 
deration.   The  most  powerfid  chief  since  the  age  of  Pon- 

*  See  Dawson's  Life  of  Harrison,  p.  43S. 


y:  :■■( 


4i 


i 


I- 


ti'' 


K 
.A 

/  '  I 

'He 


i 


I    . 


.;  'i 


*! 


^f 


216 


niSTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


tiac,  he  was  (listino:uisliod  alike  for  his  brnvory  on  tho  field 
and  his  r'  .jucnco  in  conncil.  An  alien  from  the  tribes,  he 
soon  became  their  loader  against  the  United  States.  With  ail 
the  boldness,he  had  also  all  the  nobleness  of  a  lion.  The  spirit 
which  burst  forth  like  a  meteor  upon  the  shores  of  the  Wa- 
bash was  only  quenched  in  death.  At  that  period,  like  Han- 
nibal, he  had  sworn  eternal  war  against  the  United  States 
before  the  altar  of  the  Great  Spirit,  and  he  died  as  he  had 
lived,  with  the  hatred  of  the  white  man  on  his  lips.  In  the 
following  October  a  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded  by  the 
Gentiral  Government  with  the  Indian  tribes,  constituted  of 
the  Ottawas,  Chippewas,  Miamis,  and  Pottawatamies ;  in 
which  they  agreed  to  "  take  hold  of  the  same  tomahawk  with 
the  Americans,  and  strike  at  the  enemies  of  the  United 
States,  whether  they  be  British  or  Indians."  In  the  memo- 
rable defeat  of  Gen.  Procior  at  the  Moravian  Towns,  six 
brass  field-pieces  were  taken  by  the  army  of  Gen.  Harrison, 
which  had  been  surrendered  by  Hull  at  Detroit,  and  on  two 
ofthe.se  were  engraved  the  following  words — Surrkndered 
BY  BuRGOYNE  AT  SARATOGA.  Geu.  Ilarrisou  having  elfect- 
ed  the  object  of  his  campaign,  left  Gen.  Cass  in  command  at 
Detroit,  and  moved  down  toward  the  Niagara  frontier. 

The  only  part  of  the  territory  then  remaining  in  the  hands 
of  the  British  was  the  Island  of  Michillimackinac.  ^I'liis 
island  is  about  three  miles  in  diamer,  and  was  then  covered 
with  a  dense  mass  of  forest,  occasionally  broken  by  a  patch 
of  cleared  land.  It  was  intersected  by  crooked  trails  and 
bridal  paths.  On  the  one  side  was  the  fort  adjoining  the  vil- 
lage, and  on  the  other  this  heavy  mass  of  wilderness.  Lieu- 
tenant Col.  Croghan,  a  young  man,  who  had  with  signal  va- 
lor defended  Sandusky  durmg  the  early  part  of  the  war,  had 
command  of  the  land  forces  ;  and  Commodore  Sinclair,  of  the 
fleet  which  was  to  transport  the  force  sent  out  on  an  expedi- 
tion to  capture  that  post.  In  the  month  of  July,  1814,  they 
started  upon  that  enter^.rise,  and  without  accident  reached  the 
island.  The  fleet,  however,  having  reconnoitred  the  coast 
without  attempting  an  attack,  set  sail  in  a  few  days  for  the 
Island  of  St.  Joseph.    At  that  point  they  destroyed  several 


WAR  OP  1812. 


217 


tho  field 
tribes,  he 

With  all 
The  spirit 
•  the  Wil- 
li ke  H  an- 
ted States 
IS  he  had 
i.  In  the 
•d  by  the 
stituted  of 
amies  ;  in 
tawk  with 
he  United 
he  memo- 
owns,  six 
Harrison, 
d  on  two 

KNDERED 

-^ing  effect- 
mmand  at 
ier. 

the  hands 
ac.  This 
n  covered 
y  a  patch 
trails  and 
ng  the  vil- 
ss.  Lieu- 
signal  va- 
3  war,  had 
lair,  of  the 
\n  expedi- 
[814,  they 
cached  the 
the  coast 
ys  for  the 
ed  several 


minor  posts,  and  also  a  British  fni  eotablishmcnt.  This  be- 
ing accomplished,  they  retnrned  to  tho  Island  of  Mackinaw. 
Tlie  British  commandant  had  occupied  tho  intermediate  time 
in  strengthening  his  works  and  calling  in  aid  from  the  adja- 
cent country  ;  and  he  succeeded  in  collected  as  his  associates 
a  considerable  body  of  savages  from  the  surrounding  tribes. 
It  was  proposed  by  Col.  Cro,']-han  to  attack  the  post  near  the 
village.  That  point  was  the  least  encumbered  with  the  un- 
dergrowth, which  furnishes  a  cover  for  the  savage  mode  of 
warfare,  and  the  banks  were  accessible.  That  proposition 
was  objected  to  by  Sinclair,  on  the  ground  that  his  tieet 
would  then  be  subject  to  the  fire  of  the  fort.  It  was  final  I  y 
determined  to  land  on  the  north-eastern  side  of  the  island, 
and  the  fleet  was  placed  in  the  right  position  for  that  object. 
The  landing  was  effected  without  difficulty,  but  the  troops  of 
Col.  Croghan  were  obliged  to  traverse  nearly  the  whole 
breadth  of  the  island  in  order  to  reach  the  fort.  The 
Americans  were  jermitted  to  advance  nearly  to  the  centre, 
when  they  arrived  at  one  of  the  clearmgs.  They  were  im- 
mediately attacked  by  the  Indians  who  were  posted  in  the 
surroiuiding  thickets.  A  tiring  commenced  of  an  irregular 
character  from  the  opening,  which,  however,  did  great  execu- 
tion. Major  Holmes,  an  accomplished  and  gallont  officer, 
was  ordered  to  charge  upon  the  savages  in  the  thicket,  and 
while  in  the  act  of  performing  this  order  with  great  energy, 
he  fell  by  a  rifle  ball  from  the  Indians.  The  Americans  re- 
treated upon  the  main  body,  and  wcr  •  obliged  to  return  to 
their  boats.  Thus  failed  the  enterprise,  and  the  British  held 
Michillimackinac  until  the  peace. 

The  war  of  1812,  subsequent  to  the  victory  of  Commodore 
Perry,  raged  more  at  the  East  bf^yond  the  bounds  of  Michi- 
and   by  consequence   it  had   but  little   intimate  con- 


gan. 


ncxion  with  its  social  condition.  In  1814,  it  languished  only 
to  be  renewed  with  double  vigor.  The  policy  of  the  British 
cabinet  was,  doubtless,  twofold  in  its  operation  ;  first,  to  pro- 
tect the  provinces  of  Canada,  and  so  much  of  the  adjoinin<-^ 
territory  as  was  necessary  to  its  defence  ;  and  secondly,  to 
iixvado  the  sea-coast,  and  induce  the  northern  States  to  join 

28 


ti 


'^M8 


IIISTOUV    OF    MICMItlAN. 


I     'i* 


their  cause.  For  that  object,  fourteen  thousand  men,  who 
had  f'outjht  under  the  Duke  ot"  Welhngfon,  were  embarked 
froni  Bordeaux  for  Canoda,  and  a  powerful  naval  force  was 
dcspatclieJ  for  the  purpose  of  attackinjr  the  Athuitic  frontier, 
to  ravage  tlie  coasts  and  to  maintain  rigid  blockades.  The 
war,  however,  which  had  cost  boili  governments  so  great  an 
ninount  of  blood  and  treasure,  was  soon  brought  to  u  peace- 
ful termination.  On  the  17th  of  February,  1815,  a  special 
coumiissioner  arrived  with  a  treaty  of  peace,  which  had  been 
concluded  at  (jJhent.  That  treaty,  wliich  was  legally  con- 
lu'med,  established  that  the  boundaries  between  the  territori(;s 
of  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  should  be  revised,  and 
that  all  the  places  which  had  been  taken  by  the  FiUglish  dur- 
ing the  war  sliould  be  restored.  Although  America  had 
failed,  as  the  armed  neutrality  had  before  done,  to  compel 
Great  Britain  to  renounce  the  arrogant  claims  wliich  she  had 
made  during  the  commencement  of  the  war,  the  causes  of  the 
war  had  ceased  to  operate.  American  seamen  were  no  longer 
impressed,  and  the  orders  in  council  were  repealed.  Thus 
was  peace  declared.  The  reflections  which  naturally  spring 
from  that  last  war  between  the  United  States  and  a  civilized 
power,  is  the  innnense  magnitude  of  the  sacriiices  which 
have  secured  the  independence  of  the  country. 


3  i'MS 


m  a 


CHAPTER  XII. 


P,.?r,  J'^^  .  Govrrnorof  Michisan-Condition  of  Michigan  at  that  time- 
1  ..  hclamU  brought  Miro  .n«rk..t-Po,,„lution  in  I820-Exp7orin»  ExpedUi^ 
of   h,.  Lak.,,_Mo.l.hcul,c.„«  of  .h«  Territorial  Oovernment-The  NeKork 

Mr  M„",''"r'7w:-. ''""■'  "'''""""■''  (J"v...rnor-Controversy  with  Ohio- 
Mr.  Mason  dt'ctud  Governor— ritute  of  Michicjan  eret'ted. 

In  October,  1813,  Col.  Lewis  Cass,  who  f.ad  served  with 
approhatioii  diiriiicr  iho  war,  mid  also  as  military  commandant, 
was  appointed  Governor  of  the  territory  of  Michicrnn.     Dur- 
ing that  di.sasfrous  period  the  country  had  snnk'under  the 
devastations  of  the  IJritish,  aided  hv  their  numerous  hordes 
ot  Indian  allies  on  the  Lakes,  who  had  been  encouracred  to 
depredate  upon  the  property  of  its  citizens.     Morals  we're  cor- 
rupted, laws  wore  disoraranized ;  and  the  familie.s  who  had 
fled  from  the  country,  found,  when  they  returned,  their  do- 
mestic establishments  a  scene  of  ruins.     The  territory  was, 
m  fact,  left  at  one  time  in  such  a  defenceless  state  subsequent 
to  Hull's  capitulMion,  that  only  one  company  of  regulars, 
comprising    twenty-one   men   and   the    local    militin,"  were 
obhcrcd  to  protect  the  country  against  the  hostile  Indians  who 
Jiovered  around  Detroit.     Little  inducement  had  been  held 
out  for  emigration  from  the  east,  because  the  lands  were  not 
surveyed  and  brought  into  market;  roads  had  not  been  con- 
structed through  the  interior;  access  to  the  territory  by  land 
was  only  afforded  through  tlie  Black  Swamp  and  along  the 
Detroit  River ;  a  military  work,  constructed  by  the  general 
Government,  almost  impassable,  and  strewed  with  broken 
gun  carriages,  and  the  skeletons  of  o.xen  which  had  been  em- 
ployed in  dragging  the  munitions  of  war  and  army  stores  in 
Harrison-s  campaign.     French  Town  and  Delroit,  the  two 
drmcipal  settlements  on  the  peninsula,  had  been  nearly  de- 
molished.    The  operations  of  Governor  Cass  were,  therefore, 
first  directed  to  the  rebuildmg  the  interests  of  the  State  or- 


»hj4'0''- 


I 


!;  I. 


HISTORY   OP    MICIIIfiAN. 

ganizing  a  system  of  local  policy,  and  forming  amicable  re- 
lations with  the  Indian  tribes. 

Since  the  erection  of  the  territory  in  1805,  when  Detroit 
was  established  as  the  seat  of  Government,  the  frame  of  its 
legislation  was  that  prescribed  by  the  ordinance  of  1787 ;  but 
in  1819,  on  the  16th  of  February,  an  act  of  Congress  provid- 
ed for  the  election  of  a  delegate  to  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  and  extended  the  right  of  suffrage  to  the  citizens  of 
the  territory.  This  right  of  suffrage  was  limited  to  every 
free  white  male  inhabitant  over  twenty-one  years,  who  had 
resided  within  its  bounds  one  year  preceding  its  election,  and 
who  had  paid  a  county  or  territorial  tax.  As  early  as  1807 
Governor  Hull  had  made  a  treaty  at  Detroit  with  the  Ottawa, 
Pottawattamie,  Chippewa,  and  Wyandot  tribes  ;  and  it  ceded 
a  wide  belt  of  land  on  the  eastern  frontier,  extendir^g  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Au  Glaize  to  Lake  Huron  ;  and  in  1819  a 
treaty  was  also  made  at  Saginaw,  which  ceded  a  considerable 
portion  of  land,  extending  from  a  point  nearly  west  from 
Detroit,  in  a  line  now  known  as  the  principal  meridian,  thence 
west  sixty  miles,  thence  to  the  head  of  Thunder  Bay  River, 
and  along  the  bank  of  that  river  to  Lake  Huron.  The  interior 
of  the  country  was  as  yet  unsettled,  because  no  motives  were 
furnished  for  emigration,  inasmuch  as  no  solid  title  could  be 
acquired  to  the  land.  One  fact  may  be  mentioned  as  evi- 
dence of  the  ignorance  which  at  that  time  prevailed  in  regard 
to  the  actual  quality  of  the  land.  By  an  act  of  Congress, 
passed  on  the  0th  of  May,  1812,  two  millions  of  acres  Avere 
ordered  to  be  surveyed  in  Michican  for  the  soldiers  dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812  ;  and  commissioners  were  sent  into  this 
country  for  that  object ;  but  in  consequence  of  their  jepresen- 
talions,  which  went  to  show  that  the  land  was  low,  sterile, 
and  filled  with  swamps,  the  act  was  repealed,  and  the  survey 
was  directed  to  be  made  of  the  same  quantity  in  Arkansas 
and  Illinois.  The  population  of  the  State  continued  to  be 
chiefly  French,  together  with  Americans,  who  where  engaged 
in  the  little  commerce  which  was  then  carried  on  in  the 
country ;  while  the  energy  of  the  people  was  directed  in  a 
great  measure  to  the  fur  trade. 


MICHIGAN    APTEll    THE    WAR. 


221 


In  ISIS  a  portion  of  the  public  lands  of  Michigan,  which 
had  been  surveyed  during  the   two  preceding  years,  was 
brought  into  market ;  and  this  produced  a  new  epoch  in  its 
jM-ogress.     Inciting  emigration  and  settlement  by  the  price 
affixed,  and  the  easy  terms  of  payment,  which  was  then  based 
on  the  credit  system,  it  soon  brought  into  the  country  a  laro-e 
increase    to  the  population.     In   1820  this  population  had 
grown  to  8,896.     The  fact  of  the  representations  of  the  sur- 
veyors who  had  been  appointed  to  survey  the  bounty  lands  in 
this  territory  for  the  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  doubt- 
less a  fortunate  circumstance  for  the  country,  as  it  would 
have  subtracted  that  immense  domain  from  the  purchases  of 
actual  residents,  who,  by  their  individual  exertion,  would 
have  developed  the  resources  of  the  soil.     But  few  public 
works  had  been  constructed  in  western  New- York,  and  a  great 
portion  of  that  country  was  as  yet  a  wilderness.     The  sparse 
inliabitants  who  then  resided  in  the  country,  were  principally 
confined  to  the  lake  shores,  with  the  exception  of  the  few 
French  habitans  who  had  planted  themselves  on  the  banks 
of  the  more  important  streams.     No  vigorous  system  of  pub- 
lic improvement  was  effected,  because  the  population  was 
small  and  scattered  ;  and  the  position  of  the  territory  then  on 
the  edge  of  civilization  was  cut  off  from  the  means  and  mo- 
tives of  commerce. 

Detroit,  French  Town,  Mackinaw,  and  the  Sault  de  St. 
Marie,  in  1820,  were  the  principal  settlements  in  the  present 
organized  limits  of  Michigan.  At  that  period  Detroit  con- 
sisted of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  buildings,  and  contained 
n  population  of  fourteen  hundred  and  fifteen  inhabitants,  ex- 
clusive of  the  garrison  ;  and  was  then  a  point  of  considerable 
activity  and  business.  The  Island  of  Mackinaw,  which 
was  at  that  time  a  central  mart  of  the  fur  trade,  had  a  po- 
pulation of  four  hundred  and  fifty,  whicli  was  augmented  to 
two  thousand  at  certain  intervals  by  the  accession  of  voya- 
geurs,  Indians,  and  traders,  on  their  return  from  their  hunting 
and  trading  expeditions  in  the  forests  upon  the  Upper  Lakes. 
These  were  accommodated,  for  the  most  part,  in  one  hundred 
and  fifty  houses,  which  comprised  the  village.    Fort  Michili- 


.1, .  i 


M 


I 


I    ;l 


I  s 


t       <i 


222 


HISTORY   OP    MICH  la AN. 


mackinac  stood  on  a  eminence  above  the  town,  and  Fort 
Holmes  was  located  on  the  hio;hest  point  of  the  island.  This 
was  afterwards  called  Fort  George.  Sault  de  St.  Marie  con- 
tained a  village  of  fifteen  or  twenty  buildings,  which  were 
then  occupied  by  five  or  six  French  and  English  families, 
and  was  then,  as  in  previous  times,  a  prominent  point  of  the 
the  Indian  trade.  It  would  seem  that  the  principal  ground 
of  mercantile  enterprise  at  that  period  was  the  fact,  "that  a 
large  amount  of  public  money  was  here  distributed  in  main- 
taining the  garrisons  connected  with  the  public  defence, 
which  were  then  established  at  Detroit,  Fort  Gratiot,  and 
Mackinaw. 

The  Walk-in-t he. Water  was  the  only  steamboat  which 
plied  on  the  lakes,  and  this  was  deemed  sufficient  to  transact 
the  commercial  business  of  the  territory.  This  boat  was 
named  after  the  Wyandot  chief,  and  in  the  summer  of  1819 
she  made  her  first  visit  to  the  Island  of  Mackinaw. 

During  the  year  1820  an  important  expedition  was  effect- 
ed in  the  exploration  of  the  country,  whose  actual  resources 
were  then  but  little  known.     On  the  preceding  year  Gover- 
nor Cass  had  projected  an  enterprise  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
taining a  more  precise  knowledge  of  the  resources  of  the 
territory  around  the  norlh-western  lakes ;  its  design  was  to 
examine  the  soil,  the  number,  condition,  character,  and  insti- 
tutions of  the  Indian  tribes  ;  to  investigate  the  mineraloo-ical 
resources  of  the  country,  especially  the  copper  mines  alono- 
Lake  Superior,  and  to  collect  the  materials  for  a  map  ;  to  se- 
lect the  site  for  a  garrison  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Superior,  and 
also  to  perfect  treaties  with  the  Indian  tribes.     For  that  ob- 
ject a  memorial  was  forwarded  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr. 
Calhoun,  which  was  favorably  received,  and  the  ex})edition 
was  encouraged.     For  this  purpose  an  escort  of  soldiers  was 
also  provided  ;  the  commandants  of  the  garrisons  along  the 
lakes  were  ordered  to  flvcilitate  its  progress  ;  and  a  mineral- 
ogist, topographical  engineer,  and  a  physician,  were  appointed 
to  carry  out  the  work.     The  section  of  the  republic  along 
the  north-western  waters  was  then  but  little  known,  except 
by  the  gorgeous  descriptions  of  the  Indian  traders  and  Jesuits, 


MICHIGAN    AFTER    THE    WAIl. 


223 


to  se- 


aiong 


who  mixed  up  their  accoimts  with  superstitious  traditions,  and 
the  glowing  spirit  of  poetry  which  belonged  to  their  educa 
tion  and  their  church.  On  the  24th  of  May,  1820,  the  expe- 
dition  under  Governor  Cass  started  in  bark  canoes,  manned 
by  Canadian  voyageurs  and  Indians,  and  adventured  into  the 
inland  seas  of  the  north-west. 

The  objects  of  the  expedition  were  fulfilled.     They  coursed 
along  a  track  which,  although  as  yet  a  wilderness,  where  the 
forests  in  an  almost  unbroken  expanse  met  the  waters  of  the 
lakes,  had,  nevertheless,  been  made  classic  ground  by  the  in- 
stitutions  and  wars  of  savages,  and  the  migrations  of  the  early 
traders,  soldiers,  and  missionaries  of  the  Prunch  government 
The  disaffection  of  the  Indians  on  the  Upper  Lakes  toward 
the  United  States  continued  to  exist  in   a  great  deo-ree    and 
their  attachment  to  the  English  was  fully  shown  inthe  expe- 
dition of  Governor  Cass.     By  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  made 
m  1795,  the  United  States  were  entitled  to  all  land  in  the 
north-west  territory  which  had  been  granted  by  the  Indians 
to  the  French  and  English  governments  ;  and  on  that  ground 
the  American  Government  claimed  the  concession    which 
had  formerly  been  made  to  the  French  at  the  Sault  de  St. 
Marie,  through  which  it  had  been  occupied  as  a  militarv 
post.     A  council  was  accordingly  held  by  the  expedition' 
for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  bounds  of  this  grant.     The 
object  of  the  council  was  distinctly  stated  by  ttie  interpre- 
ter.    The  savages  were  opposed  to  the  proposition  which  was 
made  by  Governor  Cass,  and  endeavored  to  evade  it  by  denv- 
ing  their  knowledge  of  the  original  grant ;  and  when  the  fiict 
was  pressed  upon  their  conviction,  they  exhibited  great  dissa- 
tisfaction, and  gave  a  qualified  refusal.     Some  of  the  chiefs 
were  in  favor  of  establishing  the  boundary,  provided  it  should 
not  be  occupied  as  a  garrison  ;  alleging,  at  the  same  time,  that 
their  young  men  might  prove  unruly,  and  kill  the  cattle  which 
should  stray  from  the  post.     This  was  intended  and  under- 
stood as  a  threat.    Governor  Cass,  in  an  answer  remarked, 
that  as  to  the  establishment  of  a  garrison  at  the  Sault,  he 
would  spare  them  all  trouble ;  for,  so  sure  as  the  rising  'sun 
should  set  in  the  west,  there  would  be  an  American  garrison 


I'  I 


224 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


established  at  that  place,  whatever  might  be  their  decision. 
This  council  was  composed  of  chiefs  dressed  in  costly  broad- 
cloths, epaulets,  medals,  silver  ornaments,   and  feathers  of 
British  manufacture  ;  by  which  it  was  understood  that  English 
agency  was  influencing  their  deliberations.     It  was  then  em- 
ployed several  hours  in  animated  discussion  ;  and  the  last  chief 
who  spoke,  a  brigadier  in  the  British  service,  drew  his  war 
lance  and  stuck  it  furiously  in  the  ground  ;  and  when  he  left 
the  marque,  where  it  had  been  held,  he  kicked  away  the  pre- 
sents which  had  been  placed  before  him,  and  the  council  was 
soon  dispersed  in  that  spirit.     In  a  few  moments  the  British 
flag  was  erected  in  the  midst  of  the  Indian  encampment. 
Governor   Cass  immediately  ordered  the  expedition  under 
arms,  and  proceeded,  with  an  interpreter,  to  the  lodge  of  the 
chief  who  had  raised  it,  and  took  down  the  insulting  flag; 
telling  the  Indian— the  same  who  had  manifested  such  rage  in 
the  council — that  it  was  an  indignity  which  they  were  not 
permitted  to  offer  to  the  American  soil ;  that  we  were  their 
guardians  and  friends,  but  that  the  flag  was  the  emblem  of 
national  power  ;  that  two  standards  could  not  float  over  the 
same  land  ;  tjiat  they  were  forbidden  to  raise  any  but  our 
own  ;  and  if  they  should  presume  again  to  attempt  it,  «  the 
United  States  would  set  a  strong  foot  upon  their  necks,  and 
crush  them  to  the  earth."     The  intrepidity  of  the  Governor 
produced  a  powerful  effect. 

In  ten  minutes  after  the  return  of  Governor  Cass  to  the 
American  encampment,  the  Indian  lodges  were  cleared  of 
every  woman  and  child,  and  the  river  was  covered  with  In- 
dian canoes.  The  expedition  of  the  Americans  was  com- 
prised of  about  sixty-six  men,  thirty  of  whom  were  United 
States  soldiers;  and  the  savages  could  muster  seventy  or  cigfity 
well-armed  warriors.  The  Indians  occupied  an  eminence 
upon  the  site  of  the  old  French  fort,  while  the  American  en- 
campment was  stationed  upon  the  banks  of  the  river.  The 
two  parties  were  separated  only  by  a  small  ravine,  and  by  a 
distance  of  only  five  or  six  bnndred  yards.  Some  tinie  hav- 
ing elapsed,  in  which  the  I,  aans  exhibited  no  marks  of  hos- 
tile intention,  the  soldiers  were  dismissed  to  their  tents.    An 


MICHIGAN    AFTER   THE    WAR. 


225 


overture  was  soon  after  made  by  a  few  of  the  older  chiefs 
wiio  had  not  been  present  at  the  former  council ;  and  at  seven 
o  clock  in  the  evening  a  treaty  was  conchided,  in  which  thev 
ceded  to  the  United  States  a  tract  of  land,  four  miles  square 
commencing  at  the  Sault,  and  extending  two  miles  up  and 
the  same  distance  down  the  river,  with  a  depth  of  four  miles 
mcludmg  the  portage,  and  the  site  of  the  old  fort,  and  the 
village  ;  reserving  to  themselves  the  right  of  fishino-  at  the 
lalls  and  of  encamping  upon  the  shores.     The  calumet  liav- 
nig  been  smoked,  and  the  shaking  of  hands  having  been  con- 
cluded, the  signatures  of  the  Indians  were  obtained  to  the 
treaty,  for  which  they  were  paid  on  the  spot  in  blankets, 
knives,  broad  cloths,  and  silver  wares.* 

At  that  period  the  interior  of  xMichigan  was  a  mere  rano-. 
mg  ground  for  savages  and  wild  beasts,  intersected  by  Indian 
trails,  which  wound  through  the  oak  lands,  and  studded  at 
wide  distances  along  the  banks  of  the  lakes  or  streams  by  a 
Imt  of  a  Frenchman   or  the    soliary  post  of  a  fur  trader, 
rhe  extensive  tract  of  forest  bordering  the  upper  kikes,  was 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  North- West  and  American  fur 
companies;  and  the  Island  of  Mackinaw  was  enlivened  by 
barges  of  the  voyageurs  and  the  canoes  of  the  Indians  laden 
with  furs  for  the  trading  establishments  at  those  points.     The 
Indian  trade  at  that  time  was  prosecuted  on  the  upper  lakes 
chiefly  by  the  American  Fur  Company,  conducted  in  that 
quarter  by  Messrs.  Stuart  and  Crooks,  its  agents.     This  com- 
pany had  extensive  establishments  on  the  Island  of  Macki- 
naw, and  also  on  the  St.  Louis  River  and  other  streams  run- 
ning into  Lake  Superior,  which  had  before  been  occupied  bv 
the  North- West  Company.  ^ 

In  1818,  when  Illinois  was  erected  into  a  State,  the  limits 
of  Michigan  had  been  extended  by  the  annexation  to  the 
territory  of  all  the  land  lying  north  of  that  State  and  Indi- 
ana. A  partial  extinction  of  the  Indian  title  had  been  effect- 
ed in  the  year  1785,  by  a  treaty  lield  at  Fort  Mackintosh 

*  For  an  account  of  this  transaction,  sec  a  narrative  of  the  Expedition  under 
Governor  Cass,  by  Henry  11.  Schoolcraft,  a  member  of  the  expedition 

29 


ST  ' 

If.* 


'"    !  W 


ifi    n ' 


m: 


i  !>' 


22G 


IIIdTOllY    OK    MICHIGAN'. 


with  the  Wyandot,  Ottawa,  Delaware,  and  Chippewa  tribes, 
by  which  a  tract  of  land,  six  miles  broad,  from  the  strait  ex- 
tending from  the  River  Raisin  to  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  also 
twelve  miles  square  at  Michilimackinae,  were  ceded.  This 
treaty  was  confirmed  at  Fort  Harmar  in  1787  ;  and  in  the 
treaty  of  Greenville,  in  1795,  the  cession  of  the  belt  of  land 
embracing  Detroit  was  confirmed,  and  twelve  miles  square  at 
the  Miami  Rapids,  and  the  Islands  of  Mackinaw  and  Bois 
Blanc  were  ceded  to  the  United  States.  In  1804  a  land  of- 
fice had  been  established  at  Detroit,  but  its  olijcct  was  to  settle 
the  land  titles  of  the  territory,  because  no  lands  were  then 
brought  into  market.  Many  of  the  early  settlers,  who  had 
derived  their  claims  from  the  French  and  English  command- 
ants  of  the  posts,  or  who  had  settled  on  the  land  without  au- 
thority, were  anxious  to  have  a  solid  title  to  the  land  which 
they  claimed  by  occupancy.  Cadillac,  the  founder  of  Detroit, 
had  made  grants  of  land,  which  were  confirmed  by  the  king 
of  France  ;  and  the  Governor  and  intendant  of  New  France 
and  Louisiana,  in  1735  and  1737,  had  also  made  similar  grants, 
which  were  also  confirmed.  Numerous  grants  had  also 
been  made  without  authority,  by  Bellestre  and  other  French 
commandants  of  Detroit,  and  enlargements  of  oriirinal  crants. 
Other  posts  on  the  upper  lakes,  which  held  never  been  con- 
firmed, and  similar  claims,  were  based  on  alleged  grants  of 
English  commandants  when  tliey  obtained  possession  of  the 
country.  But  few  of  these  grants  were  held  by  legal  titles. 
It  became  an  important  object,  therefore,  to  establish  these 
claims  by  act  of  Congress,  so  that  the  old  settlers  might  be 
secure  and  quiet  in  their  possessions.  In  order  to  accomplish 
that  object,  an  Act  of  Congress  was  passed,  in  1S07,  confirm- 
ing to  settlers  the  lands  which  they  had  occupied  continuous- 
ly from  the  year  1796  to  the  date  of  the  act ;  and  subsequent 
acts  embracing  the  settlements  on  the  upper  lakes,  established 
the  claims  of  these  old  settlers.  Besides  the  cessions  of  land 
which  had  been  made  under  the  administration  of  Governor 
Hull,  a  treaty  was  held  in  1821  at  Chicago,  with  the  Ottawa, 
Chippewa,  and  Potawatamie  tribes,  in  which  a  tract  lying 
west  of  the  cession  of  1807  and  1819,  and  reaching  from  the 


MICHIGAN    AFTER    THE    WAR. 


227 


southern  boundary  to  the  Grand  River,  and  its  most  northerly 
source,  was  secured  to  the  United  States.     Tf.ese  cessions  of 
land  from  the  Indians,  which  were  required  to  be  made  before 
a  hill  and  complete  title  could  be  acquired  by  the  United 
States,  were  honorable  to  the  American  Government.     What- 
ever may  be  the  abstract  right,  founded  on  the  purposes  of 
nature,  of  civilized  nations  to  wrest  from  barbarians  the  soil 
wlHch  IS  not  employed  in  agriculture,  it  is  clear  that  the  Go- 
vernment of  the  United  States  had  a  right  to  the  land  by  c(  n- 
quest.     They  had  a  just  claim  by  conquest  from  the  Eno-lish 
and  subsequently  from  the  Indians  in  Wayne's  war  and  the 
war  of  1812 ;  while  they  only  claimed  the  right  of  pre-emp- 
tion when  the  Indians  should  see  fit  to  sell  their  lands 

In  1823  the    territory  of  Michigan  was  invested  with  a 
more  energetic  and  compact  government,  by  an  act  of  Con- 
gress providing  for  the  establishment  of  a  Legislative  Coun- 
cil, winch  was  to  consist  of  nine  members.     These  members 
were  lo  be  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 
with  the  consent  of  the  Senate,  out  of  eighteen  candidates 
elected  by  the  people  of  the  territory  ;  and,  with  the  Governor 
they  were  invested  with  the  same  powers   which  had  been 
b'  -ore  granted  by  the  ordinance  of  1787  to  the  Governor 
Legislative   Council,   and   House  of  Representatives  of  the 
north-western  territory.     By  that  act,  the  legislative  power  of 
the  Governor  and  Judges  was  taken  away,  the  term  of  ju- 
dicial office  was  limited  to  four  years,  and  eligibility  to  office 
required  the  same  qualifications  as  the  right  of  suffrao-e      On 
the  7th  of  June,  1821,  the  first  Legislative  Council  of  Michi- 
gan was  held  at  the  council-house  in   the  city  of  Detroit 
Governor  Cass  at  that  time  delivered  his  message,  in  which 
he  briefly  reviewed  the  progress  of  the  territory,  and  marked 
out  what  he  considered  the  proper  line  of  its  policy  as  well  as 
Its  existing  condition.     In  reference  to  the  devastations  under 
the  war  of  1812,  he  remarks,  "The  whole  population  was 
prostrated  at  the  feet  of  relentless  savages  ;  and  with  such 
atrocious  circumstances  as  have  no  parallel  in  the  annals  of 
modern  warfare,  menaces,  personal  violence,  imprisonment, 
and  depopulation,  were  indiscriminately  used,  as  either  an. 


in 


M 


228 


mSTOIlY  OK   MirinoAN. 


pcared  Ixist  caiculalod  to  clli'ct  tlio  olijoct,  which  avowedly 
was  to  sever  our  citizens  from  the  alleiriunco  they  owed  to 
tlieir  country,  l-'orliniately  their  patriotism  and  eners^y  re- 
sisted these  eliorls,  and  prohably  in  no  portion  of  the  Union 
was  3nore  devotedness  to  the  general  cause  nianiliisted  tlian 
here."* 

At  that  period  the  few  roads  whic^h  had   Injen  constructed 
tlnonjrh  the  wilderness  aloui;  the  sparse  seldenients  were  iu 
a  miserable  condition  ;   and  the  CJovernor  called  the  attention 
of  the  council  to  that  su!)ject,  as  well  as  to  (he  orn^anizalion 
of  a  solid  and  eilective  system  of  jiu-isj)rndence.     As   the 
clouds  of  war  had  cleared  away,  and  the  public  lands  were 
in  market,  additional  motives  were  j)resented  lor  settlemenf, 
and  emiijration  beiran  to  How  into  the  country.     The  lo<;- 
liouses  of  hardy  ])ioneers  studded  the   wilderness,  and  the 
li)rests  resounded  with  (he  echo  of  the  woodman's  axe.     As 
the  population  became  thus  scattered,  it  was  found  neces- 
sary to  devise  a  system  of  Township  Government,  by  which 
the  local  aflairs  of  the  dilforent  sections  mi<rht  bo  rei,ndatcd 
by  its  own  local  iiolice.     In  1S25  an  Act  of  (Congress  was 
passed,  probably  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Governor,  providing  that  the.  Governor  and  Council  of  tlie 
territory  of  Michigan  should  liave  the  right  to  divide  the  ter- 
ritory into  townshijjs,  to  incorporate  the  same,  to  delinc  their 
privileges,  and  to  provide  by  law  lor  the  election  of  their  oilicers, 
and  repealing  all  laws  inconsistent  with  this  Act  which  liad 
been  embodied  in  tlie  ordinance  of  17H7,  or  in  the  laws  of  the 
United  States.     The  same  Act  also  granted  to  the  Governcn' 
the  power,  wiUi  the  consent  of  the  l.ogislative  Council,  to  ap- 
point the  civil  oilicers  of  the  territory  ;  and  the  numbevof  the 
liCgislative  ( 'ouucil  was  increast-d  to  thirteen.   During  the  first 
session  of  the  Uegislative  Council  great  elforts  were  also  made 
for  the  cstablishuieut  ol'  roads  through  the  territory  by  the 
General  Govenunent,  and  a  memorial  for  that  object  was  draft- 
ed, in  order  to  call  the  attention  of  Congress  to  this  subject. 
'J'ho  progress  of  iMichigan  during  the  remaining  jjortion  ol 


*  Gov.  T'liss's  message  to  tlic  first  Legislative  Council  in  182-1. 


MKMIUfAN    AFri:il   TIIK    WAH. 


MKiruliMmisiraiionofCovmiorf^'iss,  ahomids  with  no  sud 
....u  crisis  mid  startliiiiT  fhcls  vvlii,;li  |,„|„njr  i„  jr,,)at  ruuTir,.,, 
(-•K's,  and  wliidi  markod  tlio  wlu.lo  pmiod  of  its  ^rn,wih    "^ 

Tlu!  rauiioii  mid  ilio  ImyoiK^t  Imd  now  given ''pi  nco  to  tl». 
axi.  ilH)  plane,  and  the  plotiirl, ;  and  these  were  accon.plishinir 
the  victories  of  p.aee.     I^hnigration,  in  its  silent  pro^rr.ss,  w.-is 
i^radnally  scait(;nn<r  its  settlers  over  th.;  ibrest.     |}y  examina- 
ti-.n  It  was  fonnd  that  the  report  whieh  had  heen  mad.;  hv 
Gen.  llrown,  who  had  b(;en  appointed  to  examine  the  (,naliiy 
o(  the   land  n,   this  r.-ion,  was  .mlireiy  inaccurate,  as  his 
.|u.l-.nent  had  he(,n  lorin.d  without  due    inv.^stiJration  aii<l 
np'.n  narrow  premises.     The  settlers  advancin<r  into  the  in- 
termr,  (ound  a  fertile,  dry,  and  undulutinjr  soil,  clothed  with 
the  richest  scenery,  intersected  |,y  clear  and  rapid  streams 
.'ind  studded  with  lakes  ahoimdinjr  with  (ish.     TJi.  e  fl.cts 
huvm- s,,read  al.road,  invited  the  emicrrant  from  il,o\nore 
barren  sections  of  the  country,  which  contained  a  inoro  dense 
population,  and  where  th(!  avenues  to  W(!alth  and  distinction 
were  mainly  occupied.     During  the  first  few  yc.-ars  after  the 
administration  of  Governor  (.'ass  but  a  small  portion  of  the 
land  had  been  broiiirht  into  market,  and  this  was  in  the  east- 
ern portion  of  Michifran,  and  was  included  in  the  land  dis- 
trict of  Detroit.     The  system  wfiich  was  introduced  mto  the 
terriUiry  o(  Michigan,  of  surveys,  which  is  understood  to  have 
been  recom.iumdcd  by  (^en.  Harrison,  is  of  remarkable  accu- 
racy as  well  as  beauty  ;  and  it  now  jirevails.     Two  straight 
hues  were  drawn  through  the  centre  of  the  territory,  iioNli 
and  south,  and  east  ind  west.     The  line  north  and  south, 
was  denominated  tlu;  principal  meridian,  and  the  line  east 
and  west,  the  base  line.     The  territory  was  then  surveyed 
into  townships  six  miles  square,  these  wore  subdivided  into 
sections  a  mile  s.piare,  and  tfiese  towns!  ps  were  numbered 
inmierical  order,  iucrcvasing  from  the  m.iridian  and  base  lin<;s. 
The  mathematical  certainty  of  this  mode  of  survey,  and  the 
fact  that  each  section  and  township  were  blared  or  marked 
by  the  surveyors  on  the  trees  at  the  corner  of  each  section, 
and  the  lines  of  the  s(>ctions  also  marked  by  shaving  off  the 
bark  of  the  trees,  furnished  clear  landmarks  as  to  tlic  actual 


19 


J-f 


; 


230 


lUSTOIlY   OP    MICIIIfiAX. 


■f 


boundaries  of  each  tmot.  The  smallest  lot  which  can  be 
purohasccl  at  the  present  time  is  eijrhty  acres,  or  a  fractional 
lot  wh.ch  IS  made  by  a  township  lino  or  the  course  of  a 
stream.  Amid  the  clearings  of  the  forest,  the  lonely  log-hut 
of  the  pioneer  curled  its  smoke  to  the  heavens  from  the  banks 
of  the  lakes  and  streams  ;  and  amid  the  stumps  and  felled 
trunks  of  the  trees,  little  patches  of  wheat  glowed  in  the  sun 
like  green  islands  amid  the  vast  and  magnificent  ocean  of 
wilderness.  At  that  time  no  important  settlements  had  been 
made  in  the  interior. 

The   increasing  settlements  of  Michigan  soon  called  for 
the  construction  of  public  works  which  might  facilitate  the 
emigration  into  its  diliereiit  sections,  and  also  lay  open  to 
public  view  the  resources  of  the  soil.     As  early  as  the  12th 
of  fllay,  1S2(),  a  re[)ort  had  been  made  to  Congress  in  refer- 
ence to  the  construction  of  a  road  across  the  uTack  Swamp  ;* 
and  extraordinary  eilbrts  were  also  made  to  secure  the  aid  of 
the  General  Government  in  advancing  these  works  of  internal 
imprcvement.     These  calls  werci  liberally  responded  to  on 
the  part  of  the  General  (jovernment.     An  appropriation  was 
made  for  the  opening  a  road  between  Detroit  and  tiie  Mi  imi, 
and  it  was  expended  on  that  work  with  great  advantage.     Bills 
also  passed  Congress,  providing  for  the  construction'of  a  road 
frcn  Detroit  to  Chicago,  and  also  a  road  from  Detroit  to  Fort 
Gratiot,  as  well  as  the  improvement  of  La  Plaisa.ice  Bay. 
Liberal  grants  of  land  were  also  made  lor  the  objects  of  edu- 
cation ;  and  as  early  as  I804,t  a  township  of  land  was  granted 
by  Congress  for  the  supjiort  of  a  college.     Section  number 
sixteen  in  each  township  was  also  graiued  for  the  support  of 
common  schools;  and  in  1S2G  an  additional  grant  had  been 
mad(!  for  the  support  of  a  semin.x/  of  learning,  which  now 
amounted  to  two  townships  ;  and  authority  at  the  same  time 
was  given  to  make  these  locations  in  small  tracts. 

The  grand  roads  which  were  thus  projected,  tended  to  fur- 
nish important  avenue?  'o  the  difiercnt  points  of  Michigan  at 

♦  By  Tlon.  William  Woidhridge. 

t  III  1817  a  law  was  pnssed  by  the  Governor  and  Judges,  providing  for  tho 
establishment  of  the  Cathole  pestemiad,  or  Unircrsity  of  Jlichisan 


MICniOAN    AFTER    THK    WAR. 


231 


which  they  terminnted.     These  roads,  snys  Governor  Cnss, 
commencing?  at  Detroit,  the  great  depot  of  the  oonntry,  passing 
through  the  most  important  parts  of  the  peninsula,  and  ter- 
minating at  the  borders  of  the  great  lakes  wiiicii  ahnost  encircle 
it,  are  essential  to  the  security  and  prosperity  of  the  country. 
There  was,  however,  but  little  interest  mani(i!sted  on  the  part 
of  the  General  Government  in  providing  a  solid  defence  to  the 
Michigan  frontier  when  this  would  seem  to  have  befsn  most 
reqni.jd.     In  reference  to  the  military  works  about  Detroit, 
Gov.  Cass  remarked :  "  The  fort  at  Detroit  is  in  a  dilapidated 
state.     No  repairs  iiave  been  made  on  it  since  181:2,  and  it 
IS,  in  fact,  incapable  of  defence.     The  platform  could  not  bear 
the  discharge  of  an  eighteen-pound  gun,  nor  is  there  a  single 
piece  of  artillery  mounted  upon  tlie  works.     The  pickets  and 
abbattis  arc  rotten,  and  the  gates  unhung.     It  is  in  a  Ihr  worse 
condition  than  it  was  at  the  commencement  of  the  late  war. 
The  military  works  at  Fort  Wayne,  Fort  Gratiot,  «ault  de 
St.  Marie,  at  Green  Bay  and  Mackinaw,  were  in  but  little 
better  condition.     During  the  year  18:^5  Detroit  progressed 
as  rapidly  as  could  be  expected  under  the  existing  drcum- 
stances.     Fifty-eight  new  buildings  were  constructed  during 
that  year;  twenty-two  of  whicli  were  two  stories  in  height', 
seventeen  were  one  and  a  half,  and  nineteen  wc;e  of  one  story! 
In  1827  the  rightof  electing  the  members  of  the  l,ngislative 
Council  was  granted  to  the  electors  of  the  territory,  and  the 
representation  was  ordered  to  be  apportioned  among  the  sevo- 
ral  districts  or  counties  according  to  their  populatio"!!  ;  and  in 
1828  an  Act  was  passed,  coniirming  certain  claims  to  land 
in  Michigan;  and  another  Act,  authorizing  the  Governor  and 
Council  to  take  charge  of  those  lands  which  haxl  been  granted 
for  the  support  of  common  schools. 

The  construction  of  that  giganfic  work,  the  Erie  Canal, 
first  suggested  by  Governeur  Morns  in  1777,  a  glorious  mo- 
nument of  the  patriotism  and  genius  of  Dewitt  Chnton,  which 
was  commenced  in  1817  and  opened  to  Buffalo  duriiiir  the 
year  1825,  unfolded  a  new  avenue  to  the  prosperity  of  Michi- 
gan. Itself  a  wilderness,  and  Ijounded  on  the  east  by  a  great 
lake,  which  was  skirted  by  a  wilderness,  removed  by  this  lake 


/' 
.^'! 


11 


232 


HISTORY    OP    MICIUOAN. 


from  (Fio  more  dcsely  svulvA  Stut.^s,  the  territory  was  obliged 
o  grapple  witf,  the  obstacles  springing  from  its  rcn.ote  posi- 
t.on  and  the  want  of  convenient  modes  of  transportation  of 
ar  clos  o    large  bnllc  over  the  hmd  between  Albany  nnd  Lake 
i.rc         he  estabhshment  of  this  work,  connected  with  the 
r  ver  and  lake  navigation  to  New- York,  brought  the  trade  of 
tl^  great  commercial  metropolis  of  the  Union  to  its  own 
doo  s,  and  from  that  period  it  sprung  forward  with  powerful 
strides.     I-mugrants  could  now  be  provided  with  cheap  and 
easy  transportation  Ibr  themselves  and  their  merchandise,  and 
tus  Ime  of  communication  continued  to  be  crowded  with  set- 
Jof  the    "'r"''/'^"'  ^'^'^'^"■^'''^^"'^  i»  the  less  generous 

he  la,  d^r"''"  T'  ''^^'''^"^'"^  '°  I"^»^  themilvesiu 
the  and  of  promise  ou  the  lakes.  No  events  of  an  extraordina- 
ry character  niarked  the  progress  of  the  country.     Wi  h  c  e^r 

l^;:.::'"'"'  "'■'  T'  ^  ^^'^■■^'^  P"l""«tion,'the  nJ.. 
s  Isistence  were  ample.     As  population  advanced,  the  re- 
sources of  the  country  were  gradually  developed.     The  Z 
'-n-d   extent  of  the  sales  of  public  domai.i   had  in.luc    I 
tousands/rom  the  eastern  States  to  leave  their  sterile  la  d 
.  nd  t^  emigrate  to  her  fertile  plains;  and  with  the  increa^    - 
tcihties  for  travel  through  western  New-York  and  ae  o "  1  o 
inountams,  c-vme  the  increase  of  emigration.     Althon  d      n  II 
-ttlements   had   been   made  in  the  interior,  the    ^^^^^^^^^ 
points  w.uch  now  constitute  the  florishing  tillages  Tf 
Arbor,  Ypselanti,  Tecumseh,  Adrien,  Clinton,  M  rsl.U  /a 
M  Joseph,  had  not  then  been  founded.     Farms  had  be 
abhshed  a  the  three  iirst-named  points,  but  they  were    1  e"e 
cated  with  the  same  prospects,  and  for  the  same  object     a 
tliose  on  the  other  streams  of  the  peninsula.     IJut  the  pro'^e 
soon  broadened  and  brightened.     A  mighty  enterpri  e  v  f. 
^.ork  under  the  action  of  free  and  equallaL,  and'  it   clt  Id 
us  nfluence  through  the  forests  of  Michigan    and  the     dinn 
as  he  ceded  his  domain  to  the  General  Gov'ernmen         i"  j 
iarther  and  fartlier  into  the  wilderness,  and  his  bark  vilw 
^ave  place  to  the  log-hut  of  the  settler.     The  echo  of  the  " 
er  s  axe  started  the  wolf  from  his  den,  and  he  soon  fol  owed  n 
the  track  ol  the  savages.     The  inland  seas,  which  for  ceiUi 


MIClllliAN    AI'TKIl    Tire,    WAIt. 


233 


hnd  mirrored  littlo  but  th(!  settinjr  siui  tipoii  tljoir  surface 
uuhrokoM,  except  l,y  the  Indian,  the  jiiissiouary,  or  the  trader,' 
or  dashed  their  surges  iu  solitary  grandeur  alon-r  tfio  sliores' 
wero  now  studded  with  ships  and  steaiulH)ats,  and  all  the  ma- 
chmory  of  couiuierco  ;  and  as  it  passcid  on,  tho  canoe  of  the 
Indian  sliot  nito  the  retired  hays  which  border  its  hanks      It 
is  to  the  Erie  Canal  that  the  first  rapid  advauco  of  Michig/ui 
can  be  traced,  and  it  is  u[)ou  iiUernal  improvement  fiirnishlno- 
the    moans   und  motives   for  transporlatioii  that  its  future 
growth  must  depend.     This,  as  well  ns  the  other  western 
States,  owe,  in  fact,  their  unexampled  growth  more  to  mc- 
chamcal  philosophy  acting  on  internal  improvement,  than  to 
any  other  cause.     What  stupendous  conse(pience3  does  Ame- 
rican mechanical  philosopliy,  the  characterizing  feature  of  the 
present  ago,  exhibit  throughout  the  country?     The  rail-road, 
the  canal,  the  steamboat,  the  thousand  modes  nud  powers  by 
which  machinery  is  propelled,  hf)w  vastly  has  it  autrmcnted 
the  sum  of  human  strength  and  human  happiness.''   What 
glorious  prospects  does  it  open  before  us  !     It  has  bound  to- 
gether the  wealth  of  the  north  and  the  south,  the  east  and  the 
west,  the  ocean  and  the  lakes,  ns  a  sheaf  of  wheat ;  and  urged 
forward   the   progress    of  improvement  in   mighty  strides. 
Pouring  its  millions  into  the  wilderness,  it  has  sent  forth,  not 
serfs,  but  hardy,  practical,  enterprising  men,  the  foimders  of 
empires,  who  have  finished  the  work  of  erecting  States  be- 
fore the  wolf  and  the  panther  had  fled  from  their  dens.     Be- 
striding the  lakes  and  the  streams  which  discharge  their  wa- 
ters  through  the  Mississippi,  it  has  studded  them'with  nearly 
seven  hundred  floating  palaces,  to  conquer  winds,  waves,  and 
tides.*     In  a  single  day  it  lives  almost  a  century.     It  has 'built 
short  and  certain  paths  along  the  Atlantic,  which  has  abridged 
the  distance  at  least  two-thirds  ;  and  the  English  flag,  which 
floated   in   the  docks  of  Bristol   and   Liverpool,   are,   four- 
teen days  after,  seen  waving  in  our  ports,  above  a  foreign 
crew  and  foreign  merchandise.     More  powerful  than  Xerxes 
when  he  threw  manacles  into  the  Hellespont,  it  has  chained  the 

*  There  are  at  present  about  six  hundred  Bteamboats  on  the  waters  of  the 
iMissiiifiippi. 

30 


m 


■  '-  '  11 
,  '  I 


""SPT" 


234 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


lul 


;:*     r 


gV^ih       -pCi'.' 


current  of  nvers  by  the  dam,  the  mill-race,  and  the  water-wheel  • 
and  made  them  its  slave  !  It  has  almost  nullified  space,  by  en' 
abling  us  to  rush  across  its  surface  like  the  wind  ;  and  pro- 
longed  tune,  by  the  speed  with  which  we  can  accomplish  our 
ends.  It  can  do  the  work  of  innumerable  armies  and  navies 
m  war  and  in  peace.  It  has  constructed  rail-roads  across  the 
mountams;  and  m  the  sublime  language  of  another,  the  "bucks 
of  the  Alieghanies  have  bowed  down  like  camels." 

As  early  as  1S2]  a  treaty  was  perfected  at  Chicago  through 
the  agency   of  Governor  Cass,  by  which  all  the  countVy 
wuliin  the  boundaries  of  Michigan,  south  of  Grand  River, 
which  had  not  before  been  ceded,  was  granted  to  the  United 
States.     la  1823  Governor  Cass  also  concluded  a  treaty  with 
the  Delaware  Indians,  which  resulted  in  the  cession  of  valu- 
able tracts  of  land  on  the  Muskingum  in  Ohio ;  and,  two  years 
afterwards,  in  conjunction  with  Gen.  Clark,  he  conchided  a 
treaty  of  general  pacification  with  the  north-western  savages 
at  Prairie  du  Chien.     Besides  these  several  treaties,  there  was 
also  one  treaty  perfected  at  Green  Bay,  and  another  at  St  Jo- 
seph, m  the  year  1827.     During  the  following  year  another 
treaty  was  also  held  at  Greenville,  and  another  at  St.  Joseph 
and  a  valuable  cession  was  also  made  for  Indiana.  ' 

One  important  advantage  derived  from  the  expedition  upon 
the  north-western  lakes  under  Governor  Cass,  in  1820.  was 
the  fact,  tfiat  the  boundaries  between  the  Indian  tribes  on*  tiieir 
waters,  which  had  been  long  the  source  of  great  contention 
were  defined  and  established.     The  tomahawk,  which  is  the' 
last  reason  of  savages,  as  is  the  sword  of  civilized  nations  had 
been  lifted  up  ;  and  these  tribes  had  been  long  in  a  state  of  war 
regarding  these  limits.     In  order  to  adjust  these  disputes,  facts 
were  collected  from  tradition  and  evidence,  and  the  assent  of  the 
Indians  was  acquired  to  certain  well-known  geographical 
bounds.     By  this  adjustment  much  bloodshed  was  |)reventcd, 
and  also  further  disputes  upon  the  same  grounds.     From  State 
documents,  which  were  submitted  to  Congress  on  the  2rtii  of 
January,  1825,  it  appears  that  there  were  then  twenty-ei.frht 
thousand  three  hundred  and  sixteen  Indians,  exclusive  of  the 
Chippewas,  upon  Lake  Superior  and  the  heads  of  the  Mississippi 


MICHIGAN    AFTEU    TllK    WAR. 


235 


Dunng  the  year  1S25,  a  memorial  was  submitted  by 
Governor  Cass  to  the  Committee  on  mih'tary  affairs,  to  whom 
had  been  referred  a  resohuion  making  inquiry  what  furthe 
neas,ires  were  necessary  to  be  adopted  for  the  protection  of 
the  nonh-western  frontier.  This  memorica  was  desi<.ned  to 
set  forth  the  actual  position  of  the  territory  of  Michigan  at 
lhat,me  and  to  invoke  aid  from  the  General  Government 

a  d  tlf  "rn      :  ^""'^'"'^  ''  '  '""'  ^'"^  ''  ^"'i^h  coast, 
ad  the  unstable  character  of  the  Indians,  which  made  them 

able  at  aiiy  moment  to  break  out  into  open  war,  made  an 
augmented  defence  necessary  for  its  protection 

Besides  the  roads  which  were  encouraged  by  the  General 
Government  from  Detroit  to  the  M.unee,  Saguiaw,  to  Fort 
Gia not,  to  Chicago  ;  another  road  was  also  projected  by  the 
United  States  fro.n  La  Piaisance  Bay  to  interseil  the  Detroit 
and  Chicago  road  and  also  from  Detroit  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Giand  River ;  and  appropriations  fbr  that  object  were  passed  in 
1832      Provision  was  also  made,  in  1831,  for  the  erection  of 
l.ght-houses  ac  tlie  head  of  Lake  Erie,  on  Bois   Blanc  Island 
near  Mackinaw,  at  Fort  Gratiot  at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Hu 
ron,  at  St   Joseph  River,  Lake  Michigan,  on  outer  Thunder 
Bay  Island  m  Lake  Huron  ;  and  also  for  the  establishment  of 
a  light-boat  m  the  straits  between  Lakes  Huron  and  Michi<ran  • 
and  also  buoys  on  the  fiats  of  Lake  St.  Clair  ''      ' 

The  principal  settlement  was  as  yet  confined  to  the  eastern 
portion  of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan,  and  the  interior  was  an 
almost  unbroken  wilderness.     By  consequence,  counties  were 
organised  only  so  far  as  the  advance  of  settlements  establish! 
ed  the  necessity  of  a  direct  representation  and  a  frame  of  lo- 
cal  policy.     As  early  as  1826  the  counties  of  Michillimacki- 
ac  Saginaw,  La  Peer  Shiawassu,  St.  Clair,  Macomb,  Oak- 
land,  \V  ashtenaw,  Wayne,  Lenawee,  and  Monroe,  were  erect- 
ed ;  and  township  governments  were  organised  within  their 
T^onnds;  while  an  immense  extent  of  country  west  of  the 
principal  meridian,  extending  to  Lake  Michigan,  which  hod 
not  been  surveyed,  and  which  was  then  but  sparsely  settled 
was  subject   to  the  counties  of  Monroe  and  Oakland.     In' 
1830  the  population  of  Michigan  had  grown  to  31' ,030     By 


,.  fr 


f. " 


il 

I' 

II 


i  if  '    : 


236 


HISTORY    OK    MICHIGAN. 


this  it  appeared  that  there  had  been  an  accession  to  its  popu- 
lation of  more  tlian  twenty-two  thonsand  since  the  census  of 
1820. 

The  whole  administration  of  (jov.  Cass  was  occupied  in 
strengthening  the  foundations  of  the  prosperity  of  Michigan, 
and  increasing  tlie  wealtli  of  the  United  States  by  perfecting 
treaties  with  tiie  Indian  tribes,  developing  (lie  resources,  de- 
fining and  establishing  the  legislation  of  the  territory.  In 
1831  Governor  Cass,  after  having  occupied  it  eighteen  years, 
resigned  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  Michigan,  and  took  his 
seat  as  Secretary  of  War  in  the  cabinet  of  the  United  States. 
He  found  the  country  weak  from  the  devastations  of  war,  and 
left  it  strong.  He  had  given  general  satisfaction  to  the  peo- 
ple, in  etf  jting  substantial  improvements  for  the  benefit  of 
the  State.  Although  endowed  with  few  of  the  brilliant  qua- 
lities of  an  orator,  he  possessed  a  solid  and  discriminating 
judgment.  Discreet,  sagacious,  prudent,  politic,  he  sought 
the  best  good  of  the  territory,  and  made  friends  wherever 
friends  were  to  be  made.  His  contributions  to  the  leadincr  lite- 
rary  journals  of  the  country,  as  well  as  to  historical  societies,  in 
illustration  of  Indian  history  and  institutions,  had  established 
his  taste  and  learning  ;  his  collisions  with  the  British  and  the 
Indian  tribes  had  maintained  his  reputation  as  a  soldier ; 
and  his  beneficent  administration  of  the  government  of  Mi- 
chigan for  eighteen  years,  had  marked  his  character  with  the 
broad  impression  of  a  statesman.  It  can  be  aflirmed  safely, 
that  the  present  prosperity  of  IMichigan  is  now  more  in- 
debted to  Governor  Cass  than  to  any  other  man,  living  or 
dead.  During  this  year  the  population  of  the  territory  had 
grown  to  about  thirty-five  thousand,  according  to  a  fair  esti- 
mate. 

Governor  Cass  was  succeeded  during  the  same  year 
by  Mr.  George  B.  Porter,  a  lawyer  of  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  appointed  by  General  Jackson  ;  and, 
although  possessing  little  brilliance  of  talent,  he  was 
universally  acknowledged  to  be  an  active  and  thorough 
man  of  business.  The  administration  of  Governor  Porter 
was  marked  by  no  extraordinary  vicissitude  affecting  the 


MICHIGAN    AFTER    THE    WAU. 


237 


co.id.iiou  of  .A.'ichigau,  excepting  the  erection  of  Wisconsin 
whicii  had  formerly  been  annexed  to  Michigan,  and  theexpe- 
<Iition  against  Black  Ilawlc.     The  treaty  of  Chicago,  in  wliich 
the  chief  magistrate  had  an  agency,  terminated  in  a  lar^e  ces- 
sion of  the  Indian  lands  to  the  United  States.     During  the 
administration  of  Governor  Porter,  the  emigration  to  the  ter- 
ritory was  very  much  increased.     The  commerce  of  Lake 
I'.rie   rapidly  augmented  with  the  increase  of  emigration 
Appropriations  had  been  made  for  public  works  afono-  its 
•shores,  and  also  within  the  then  territory  of  Michigan.   Sp^'eco- 
lation  began  to  move  into  this  region,  and  large  companies 
were  formed  at  the  east,  which  had  for  their  object  the  pur- 
chase of  extensive  tracts  of  the  public  domain.     Besides  the 
increase  of  a  non-resident  proprietorship,  vast  masses  of  ac- 
tual settlers  came  out  in  order  to  improve  the  land.     As  tlio 
resources  of  the  country  became  known,  the  most  elio-ible 
tracts  for  the  establishment  of  towns  were  sought  out  by  the 
lynx-eyed  capitalist,  and  villages  sprung  up  as  if  by  maaic 
on  the  banks  of  the  streams  which  afTorded  any  degree^cf 
hydraulic  or  commercial  advantages.     Michigan  nowlooked 
forward  to  the  period  when  she  could  apply  for  admission 
as  a  State  into  the  Union,  whicli  could  happen  when  she  had 
a  population  of  sixty  thousand.     A  census  was  taken,  and  in 
April  of  1831,  it,  was  found  that  this  population  had  grown 
to  eighty-seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-three 

The  gubernatorial  chair  of  Miciiigan  was  again  leftvac.nt 
by  the  death  of  George  B.  Porter.  Here  commenced  the  in- 
terregnum state  of  its  administration,  when  it  was  vaciUatino- 
between  a  State  and  territorial  government ;  when  it  was 
without  a  common  head,  a  territorial  system  of  laws,  and  a 
constitution  of  government  made  by  itself  professincr  to  be  a 
Slate,  but  not  a  member  of  the  Union,  ° 

During  that  period,  and  while  Michigan  was  yet  without  a 
chief  magistrate,  the  controversy  which  had  ^rmerly  agitated 
the  territory  regarding  its  southern  boundar  line,  was  a<.ain 
revived.  1  his  controversy  was  of  long  standing,  and  had  been 
made  the  subject  of  ardent  discussion  from  the  commencement 


of  the  adrahiistration  of  Governor  Cass. 


ft  grew  out  of  a 


238 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


I,    U 


:i-- 


>■  'm 


ii 


t ; 


clause  in  the  ordinance  of  1787  for  the  government  of  t{ie 
north-western  territory.  In  the  fifth  article  of  that  ordi- 
nance, It  was  estabhshed  that  there  should  be  formed,  in  the 
north-western  territory,  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than 
five  States  '^  Provided,  however,  and  it  is  further  under- 
stood and  declared,  that  the  boundaries  of  these  tin-ee  States 

Tuu  ?"^'''''  '''"'^  ^''''^^''''  ^"d  it  expedient,  they 

shall  have  authority  to  form  one  or  two  States  in  that  part  of 
the  said  territory  which  lies  north  of  an  east  and  west  line 
drawn  through  the  southerly  bend  or  extreme  of  Lake 
Michigan  ;  and  whenever  any  of  the  said  States  shall  have 
sixty  thousand  free  inhabitants  therein,  such  State  shall  be 
adinitted  by  its  delegates  into  the  Congress  of  the  United 
Sta  OS  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States  in  all  re- 

siituiion  and  State  government.-"' 

In  the  Act  of  Congress  to  divide  the  Indiana  territory  into 
twoseparate  governments,  which  was  approved  Januarv  11, 
180a,  It  was  established  that  "from  and  after  the  3()th  day  of 
June  next  all  that  part  of  the  Indian  territory  whicMies 
nonh  of  a  hue  drawn  east  from  tiie  southerly  he'd  or  extreme 
o  Lake  Michigan  until  it  shall  intersect  Lake  Erie,  and  e^s 
of  a  niedrawn  from  the  said  southerly  bond  th  ou^h  X 
middle  of  said  lake  to  its  northern  extremity,  and  the.^l  d  e 
north  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  United  State  lit 

he  purposes  of  temporary  government,  constitute  a  sen arl 
territory,  and  be  called  Michio-an  "  ^ 

In  nf  h'  L  '"''^''  '^'  '"'I'^bitants  of  the  eastern  por- 
tion .d's^T"'""  '""'"-^  (^"■")  '^  ^°™  ^  -'tl 
tution  and  State  government,  it  was  provided  "that  the  boun 

daries  of  the  future  State  (of  Ohio)  shall  be  on  th  as  y 
the  Pennsylvania  line,  on  the  south  by  the  Ohio  Rive  to  thl 
n^outh  of  the  Great  Miami  River,  on  the  west  by  l    ^ 

diwn  due  north  from  the  mouth  of  the  great  M.L  i  ali^e 
aid,  and  on  the  north  by  an  east  and  west  line  drawn  hroul 
the  southern  extreme  of  Lake  Michigan,  running  ]^^S^ 


MICHIGAN    AFTER    THE    AVAR. 


239 


intersecting  the  due  north  line  aforesaid,  from  the  mouth  of 
the  great  Miami,  until  it  shall  intersect  Lake  Erie  on  the  ter- 
ntonal  hue,  and  thence  with  the  same  through  Lake  Erie  to 
the  Pennsylvania  line  aforesaid." 

The  sixth  article  of  the  Constitution  of  Ohio,  which  was 
organized  m  1802,  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, ordains  as  follows  :  "  Provided  always,  and  it  is  hereby 
fully  understood  and  declared  by  this  convention,  that  if  the 
sourthern  bend  or  extreme  of  Lake  Michigan  should  extend 
so  far  south  tliat  a  line  drawn  due  east  from  it  should  not  in- 
tersect Lake  Erie,  or  if  it  should  intersect  the  said  Lake  Erie 
east  of  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  River  of  the  lake,  then,  and 
m  that  case,  with  the  assent  of  tlie  Congress  of  the  United 
fetates,  the  northern  boundary  of  this  State  shall  be  establish- 
ed by  and  extended  to  a  direct  line  running  from  the  south- 
erly extremity  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  most  northerly  Cape 
of  Miami  Bay  ;  after  intersecting  the  due  north  line  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Great  Miami,  thence  north-east  to  the  territorial 
line,  and  by  the  said  territorial  line  to  the  Pennsylvania  line  " 
These  several  national  and  State  enactments  were  made 
the  basis  of  a  clashing  claim  between  Ohio  and  MichLmn. 
The  disputed  tract  was  a  belt  of  land  about  fifteen  miles  wide 
From  the  fact,  that  this  tract  of  land  contained  the  outlet  of 
the  Miami  River,  was  itself  a  fertile  soil,  and  the  key  to  a 
wide  and  rich  back  country,  and  also  a  prescribed  terminus 
for  the  Erie  a.ul  Wabash  Canal,  a  work  of  gigantic  enter- 
prise and  brilliant  promise,  its  acquisition  was  deemed  an  ob- 
ject of  great  importance.     To  substantiate  her  claims,  it  was 
co.Uended,  on  the  part  of  Michigan,  that  the  ordinance  of 
1<8^  was  a  solemn  compact  between  the  United  States  and 
the  i)eople  who  should  l)e  comprised  in  the  north-western 
territory,  unalterable  except  by  common  consent ;  and  that  this 
compact  established  the  southern  boundary  line  of  Michigan 
as  a  direct  east  and  west  line  drawn  through  the  southerly 
bend  or  extreme  of  Lake  Michigan.     It  was  also  maintained 
on  the  part  ot  i\Iichigan,  that  the  act  of  Congress  of  1S05 
organizing  tlio  territorial  government,  conlirtnod  the  same 
line,  by  prescr.buig  as  her  territorial  domain,  all  that  part  of 


fig'-  '  I    I 


240 


niSTOUY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


.  i  wi 


P         i 


•II'         I 

'fh   i 


the  Indiana  territory  wliich  lies  north  of  a  hne  drawn  east 
from  the  southerly  bend  or  extreme  of  Lake  Alichigan  until 
it  shall  intersect  Lake  Erie. 

It  was  maintained  on  the  side  of  Ohio,  that  tlie  lino  pro- 
scribed in  the  orduiance  of  1787  was  not,  in  the  Ic^al  and 
technical  sense,  a  boundary  line  ;  but  a  parallel  and  purlial 
line  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  limiting  the  action  of  the 
States  below,  and  confining  temporarily  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
territory  above  it  ;and  that  the  right  boundary  was  defined  in 
llie  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  which  had  been  ac- 
cepted by  Congress,  as  the  line  running  from  the  scuthoriy 
extremity  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  ?nost  7iort/iciii/  cape  or 
the  Micifni  Bay. 

It  was  also  claimed  by  Ohio,  that  the  ordinance  of  17S7 
was  superseded   by   the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  the 
Unitrd  States  ;  and  they  maintained  that  argument  by  tl:e  fol- 
lowing clause  in  that  instrument :  "  Congress  shall  have  the 
power  to  dispose  of  and  make  all  needful  rules  and  regula- 
tions respecting  the  territories  or  other  property  belonging  to 
the  United  States."     On  the  other  side,  it  was  alleged  that  this 
clause  of  the  constitution  referred  to  the  public  lands  ;  but  if 
it  did  not,  the  argument  was  fiilly  answered  in  another  clause 
of  the  same  instrument,  establishing  that  all  debts  contracted 
and  engagements  entered  mio,  before  the  adoption  of  this 
Constitution,  shall  be  as  valid  against  the  United  Stales  under 
this  Constitution  as  under  the  confederation. 

Here  then  arose  a  clashing  of  jurisdiction.  It  was  deter- 
mined by  the  people  of  Otiio  to  have  the  northern  boundary 
line  claimed  by  that  State  re-marked  by  the  surveyors.  Mi- 
chigan, about  the  same  period,  passed  a  coimter-act,prohibitin,"- 
any  aggression  by  another  State  upon  her  domnin.  In  con- 
sequence of  that  act,  the  surveying  expedition  of  Ohio,  while 
in  the  perlbrmance  of  their  duties,  were  attaclced  and  driven 
off  by  a  military  posse  cotnitatus.  Subsequent  to  that  period, 
the  militia  of  Michigan  were  drafted  to  enforce  her  laws  upon 
the  Ohio  frontier,  and  actually  marched  on  to  the  disputed 
ground  with  Mr.  Stevens  T.  Mason,  the  then  Secretary  and 
acting  Governor  of  the  territory,  at  their  head  :  but  finding  r,o 


MICHIOAN    AFTER    THK    WAR. 


211 


enemy,  thoy  were  soon  disbanded.  On  tiiis  jinicturc,  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  ioresecin«r  disturbances,  ap. 
pointed  two  Commissioners,  Mr.  Richard  Rush  of  Pennsyl- 
vania,  and  Mr.  Benjamin  C.  Howard  of  Maryhmd,  to  repair 
to  the  disputed  territory,  and  to  settle,  if  possible,  the  ditfer- 
ence  between  the  parlies.  By  their  ajrency  a  compromise 
was  etfected,  throufrh  which  the  people  on  the  disputed  terri- 
tory might  acknowledge,  at  their  option,  the  jurisdiction  of 
Ohio  or  Michigan,  until  the  matter  could  be  satisfactorily  de- 
termined by  the  proper  authority.  This  arrangement,  how- 
over,  was  attended  witli  no  permanent  advantages,  as  the  dis- 
sensions w  re  soon  renewed. 

In  the  nKaiitimc  Michigan,  under  the  clause  in  the  ordi- 
nance of  17S7,  empowering  the  territory  to  Ibrm  a  permanent 
Constitution  and  State  Government  when  she  should  attain  a 
population  of  sixty  thousand,  had,  on  IVIay  11,  1835,  called  a 
convention  in  the  city  of  Detroit  for  that  object.     The  Con- 
stitution was  framed,  and  sent  for  acceptance  to  Congress. 
Under  the  State  organization,  Stevens  T.  Mason  of  Kentucky, 
who  had  been  secretary  under  Governor  Porter,  was  elected 
Governor  by  the  people.     Michigan  then  applied  tor  admis- 
sion into  the  Union  o!i  her  own  terms,  but  that  admission  was 
refused  on  the  part  of  the  General  Government.     An  act, 
however,  was  passed,  providing  for  her  conditional  admission,' 
which  was  in  the  following  words :  "  An  Act  to  establish  the 
northern  boundary  line  of  tlie  State  of  Ohio,  and  to  provide 
for  the  admission  of  the  State  of  Michigunin  to  the  Union  upon 
tlie  conditions  therein  expressed."     "  Be  it  enacted  by  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  Congress  assembled,  that  the  northern  boundary 
hne  of  the  State  of  Ohio  shall  be  established  at,  and  shall  be  a 
direct  line,  drawn  from  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  Mi- 
chigan to  the  most  northerly  Cape  of  the  Maumee  Bay  ;  af- 
ter that  line  so  drawn  shall  intersect  tiie  eastern  boundary 
line  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  and  from  the  said  north  Cape  of 
the  said  bay,  north-east  to  the  boundary  line  between  the 
United  States  and  the  province  of  Upper  Canada  in  Lake 
Eri<i ;  and  thence  with  the  said  last-mentioned  line  to  its  inter- 

31 


hh\ 


242 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


' ; 


section  witli  the  western  line  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  the  Constitution  and  State 
Government,  which  the  people  of  Michigan  have  formed  for 
themselves,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  accepted,  ratified,  and 
confirmed  ;  and  that  the  said  State  of  Michigan  shall  be,  and 
is  hereby  declared  to  be  one  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  is  hereby  admitted  into  the  Union  upon  an  equal  footing 
with  the  original  States  in  all  respects  whatsoever ;  provided 
always,  that  this  admission  is  upon  the  express  condition  that 
the  said  State  shall  consist  of  and  have  jurisdiction  over  all 
the  territory  included  witliin  the  following  boundaries,  and 
over  none  other,  to  wit:  Beginning  at  the  point  where  tlie 
above-described   norihern  boundary  of  the  State   of   Ohio 
intersects    the  eastern    boundery  of  the    State  of  Indiana; 
and  running  thence  with  the  ;aid  boundary  line  of  Ohio  as 
described  in  the  section  of  this  Act,  until  it  int(,'rsects  the 
boundary  line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada  in  Lake 
Erie;  thence  with  the  said  boundary  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  through  the  Detriot  River,  Lake  Huron, 
and  liake  Superior,  to  a  point  where  the  said  line  last  touches 
Lake  Superior;  thence  in  a  direct  line  through  Lake  Supe- 
rior to  the  mouth  of  the  Montreal  River  ;  thence  througn  the 
middle  of  the  main  channel  of  the  said  River  jMontreallo  the 
middle  of  the  Lake  of  the  Desert ;  thence  in  a  direct  line  to 
the  nearest  headwater  of  the   Menominie   River;   thence 
through  the  middle  of  that  fork  of  said  river  first  touched  by 
the  said  line  to  the  main  channel  of  the  said  Memoninie  Ri- 
ver ;  thence  down  the  centre  of  the  main  channel  of  the 
same,  to  the  centre  of  the  most  usual  ship  channel  of  the  said 
Bay  to  the  middle  of  Lake  Michigan  ;  thence  through  the 
middle  of  Lake  Michigan  tn  the  northern  boundary  "of  the 
State  of  Indiana,  as  that  line  was  established  by  the  act  of  Con- 
gress of  the  19th  of  April,  1816;  thence  due-east  with  the 
north  boundary  line  of  the  said  State  of  Indiana  to  the  north- 
east corner  thereof;  and  thence  south  with  the  east  boundary 
line  of  Indiana  to  the  place  of  beffinnino-. 

"  And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  as  a  compliance  with  the 
fundamental  condition  of  admission  contained  in  the  last  pre- 


IM  \i- 


MICHIQAN    AFTER    THE    WAR, 


243 


Cfidmsr  section  of  this  Act,  the  boundaries  of  the  said  State 
o  Michigan,  as  in  that  section  described,  declared,  and  esta- 
Dished,  shall  receive  the  assent  of  a  convention  of  delegates 
elected  by  the  people  of  said  State  for  the  sole  pnipo.se  of 
giving  the  assent  herein  required  ;  as  soon  as  the  assent  herein 
required  shall  be  ^iven,  the  President  of  the   United  States 
shall  announce  the  same  by  proclamation,  and  thereupon,  and 
without  any  further  proceeding  on  the  part  of  Cono-ress    the 
admission  of  the  said    State  into  the  Union   a.  one  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  ori^i. 
pnal  States,  shall  be  considered  as  complete;  and  the  senV 
tors  and  representative  who  have  been  elected  by  the  said 
Slate  as  its  representatives  in   the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  sh.n^l  be  entitled  to  take  their  seats  in  the  Senate  and 
1-louse^  of  Representatives  respectivelv,  without  further  delay  " 
111  September,  183G,  a  convention  was  called  at  Ann  Arbor 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  condition  annexed  to  the 
admission  of  Michigan  into  the  Union  and  it  was  rejected 
Ihis  rejection  was  based  on  the  fact  that  Couirress  hud  no 
right  to  annex  such  condition  to  the  admission  of  Michio-an 
into  the  Union,  because  her  boundaries  had  been  already'de- 
ftnedby  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and  her  Constitution  had 
been  declared  republican,  and  had  been  organized  in  con- 
fin-mity  to  the  ordinance,  which   provided,  tliat  when  she 
should   have  attained  a  population   of  sixty  thousand,  she 
..ould  be  admitted  upon  the  floor  of  Congress  upon  an  equal 
looting  with  the  original  States. 

On  this  question  local  dissensions  sprung  up,  and  public 
opinion  was  divided.  Subsequent  to  this  convention,  a  new 
convention,  comprised  of  delegates  from  the  different  counties 
was  called  on  the  14th  day  of  December  of  the  same  year' 
and  the  condition  was  recognized.  This  accession  was 
made  on  the  ground  of  expediency,  and  to  secure  the 
benefits  of  union  and  the  divisions  of  the  surplus  reve- 
nues.  The  question  then  arose,  whether  this  second  conven- 
tion was  empowered  to  accede  to  the  terms  of  admission  pre- 
scribed  in  the  Act  of  Congress  providing  for  the  admission  of 
the  State  of  Michigan  into  the  Union.     The  President  of  tho 


Si  I 


244 


IIISTOIIY    OF    MICH  10 AN. 


?;! 


Uiiitea  States  rlid  not  deem  himsolf  authorized  to  issue  his 
proclamation   on   tiie  notion  of  this  second  convention,  but 
conchulf"!  'i.  i;i\  the  whole  matter  helbre  Consrress,  to  be  ad- 
judged.    In  opposition  to  the  validity  of  this  second  conven- 
tion, Mr,  joiui  C  Calhoun,  of  South  Carolina,  and  others, 
mad-;  the  point  that  this  convention   was,  in   the  first  place, 
unauthorized  by  the  Act  of  Con^iss;  and,  secondly,  tliat 
tlie  only  legal  convention  authorized  by  that  act  fiad  rtyected 
the  terms  prescribed  by  CnKo^iv'^s ;  and  lastly,  thai  the  con- 
vention itself  was  not  a  fair  expression  of  the  willof  the  peo- 
ple of  Michigan.     Mr.  Thomas  If.  Benton  took  ground  in 
behalf  of  admission,  and  solemnly  declared  that  he  would  en- 
camp upon  the  floor  of  the  Senate  until  Michigan  wks  admit- 
ted as  a  State  into  the  Federal  Union.     After  a  protracted  dis- 
cussion, the  question  was  decided  in  favor  of  admission,  and 
she  was  admitted  as  a  State  into  the  Federal  Government. 
In  addition,  therefore,  to  the  tract  included  in  the  peninsular 
portiou  of  tlie  territory,  there  is  a  tract  of  about  twenty-five 
thousand  square  miles  north-west  of  Lake  Michigan  append- 
ed by  the  terms  of  the  late  Act  of  Congress ;  so  that,  at  the 
present  time,  the  dom-^in  of  tlie  State  embraces  an  aggregate 
of  about  sixty-five  thousand  square  miles.     Previous  to  this 
period  her  territorial  domain  had  been  abridged  by  the  or- 
ganization of  the  territory  of  Wisconsin  in  1836.     Subjoined 
is  the  Constitution  of  the  State. 

In  April  of  1834,  it  was  ascertained  that  there  were  eighty- 
seveu  thousand  two  hundred  aad  seventy-thre^  free  inhabit- 
ants within  the  then  limits  of  Michigan.  The  establishment  of 
a  constitution,  and  the  admission  ot  Michigan  as  a  member  of 
the  Union,  constituted  a  marked  epoch.  From  this  period 
she  burst  forth  with  newness  of  life.  Before  she  had  been  in  a 
state  of  wardship  and  dependence  ;  her  officers  were  appoint- 
ed, and  her  policy  conirollcd,  by  the  Federal  Government,  a 
power  which  could  not  appreciate  all  her  local  wants.  Her- 
cules had  sprung  from  the  cradle.  A  system  of  measures 
was  now  adopted  to  effect  a  vigorous  and  extensive  system  of 
internal  improvements  throu^hout  the  Slate.  From  her 
great  local  advantages  she  had  already  become  an  important 


i|  M  i 

1  'I! ' 


MICHIGAN    AFTEU    THE    WAR. 


215 


mart  for  castcrri  capital  ;  and  the  rapid  increase  of  populnlion 
called  n|)oa  the  State  to  uffccttKUe  substantial  and  thorou<.li 
benehts,  hotli  for  the  improvement  of  their  moral  and  i)hysi- 
c.il  condition,  and  to  dev»  lope  the  resources  of  the  country 
^V  itlun  the  last  few  years,  it  is  probal.j.;  that  no  section  of  the 
Unit(;d  (States  has  advanced  more  rapidly  than  the  State  ot 
Michigan,  and  it  seems  to  be  a  matter  of  great  importance  to 
proportion  the  public  works  to  the  arrowing  wants  of  the  State. 
The  villages,  whicli  had  sprung  up  in  its  different  sections, 
and  the  settlements  which  had  been  scattered  ovjr  the  wholo 
penmsula,  seemed  to  call  upon  the  State  itself  to  carry  for- 
ward these  works.     Besides  remodelling  its  laws,  it  was  made 
an  important  feature  of  state  policy  to  project  certain  impor- 
tant works  across  the  peninsula.*     In  order  to  prosecute  these 
prou>cfs  the  C^vernor  was  authorisod  to  effect  a  loan  not  ex- 
coeding  five,   millions  of  dollars,  on  which    the  credit  of 
the  State   was  to    he  pledged.      The    Board   of    Commis- 
sioners of  Internal  Improvements  were  authorised  to  cause 
surveys  to  be  made  of  three  railroad  routes  across  the  penin- 
su.  of  Michigan.     The  firstof  these  routes  was  to  commence 
at  Detroit  in  the  county  of  Wayna  and  to  terminate  at  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  River  in  the  county  of  Berrien  •  this 
vvas  to  be  called  the  Central  railroad.      The  second  was 
to  commence  at  the  navicjable  waters  of  the  River  Raisin 
passth  ough  thevillageofMonroeinthocountyofMonroe  and 
to  terminate  at  New  Buflalo  in  Berrien  county.     This  is  deno- 
minated the  Southern  railroad.     Th  ■  third  is  to  commence 
at  Palmer  near  the  mouth  of  tiie  Bla*  <  River,  in  the  county 
of  St.  Chur,  and  to  terminate  at  the  i  .vigable  waters  of  the 
Grand  River  in  the  county  of  Kent,  or  on  Lake  Michigan  la 
the  county  of  Ottawa.     This  last  is  denominated  the  Northern 
railroad.     For  the  construction  of  these  three  works,  the  sum 
ot  live  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  has  been  appropriated 
by  the  legislature.     The  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  has 

*  Four  States  have  thus  been  carvrdo.it  ot  the  North-western  Territory  W,.- 
consm  rema.Ms  to  he  create,!.     Tho  ConstituUon  of  Ohio  was  organized  in  1«02 
Indmua  m  1816.  Illinuis  i„  ISIfi,  Mid.igan  in  1835  ' 


I 


240 


HISTOUY    OK    MICHIUAN. 


I 


If: 

7  ^l!  f 


also  boon  nppropriatcd  for  the  survey  of  a  canal,  or  n  canal 
mm  railnmd,  commencing  «t  1\1(.  Clement  on  the  Clinton 
Kivcr,  and  to  t.-rmmuie  at  or  near  the  month  of  the  Kalnmaroo 
Kiver ;  tor  the  survey  of  a  canal  to  unit,,  the  waters  oftlio  Sa- 
ginaw  u'lth  the   navi-able  waters  of  the   Maple  or  (inmd 
llivers;  and  for  the  purchase  of  surveyors' and  other  instru- 
ments ;  and  uLso  for  the  survey  of  the  St.  Joseph,  Kalanuizoo, 
and  Grand  Rivers,  for   the  purpose  of  i.nprovin?  the  navicra. 
tion.     Forty  thousand  dollars  were  also  appropriated  for  The 
construction  ofac.nal,  or  a  canal  and  railroad  on  the  route 
ivoin  Mt.  Clemens  to  Kalamazoo,  ,f  such  a  work  was  deemed 
necessary.     Fifteen  tliousand  dollars  was  also  appropriated 
ior  the  constr.iction  of  a  canal  which  should  unite  the  waters  of 
the  M-ru.aw  with  the  Grand  or  Maple  Kivers,  if  such  a  work 
was  deemed  nec-ssary  to  be  constructed.     A  project  for  a  ship 
canal  around  the  Sanit  deSt.  Marie,  opening  navigation  with 
i^ake  Superior,  is  now  in  action.     These  several  projected 
works  01   u.iernal  improvement  lay  the  foundation  for  the  ra- 
pid devel.>pu)ent  of  its  resources.      They  will  furmsh  means 
and  motives  lor  unnngration  lothe  State,  will  bru)gal!  its  pro- 
ducts  mto  niarket,  and  hind  together,  as  with   iron  chains,  its 
interests  and  its  action.      Besides  these  projected  improve- 
meuts,  a  geological  survey  has  been  commenced  under  the 
cognizance  of  the  State,  which  will  doubtless  reveal  its  sour- 
ces of  as^yet  undiscovered  wealth  beneath  the  surface  of  the 
State.     1  l.e  nnportant  cause  of  education,  which  is  acknow- 
ledged to  he  at  the  (bundation  of  good  government  and  na- 
nonal  happiuess,  has  received  extraordinary  ullention  imder 
State  cognizance.     The  beneficent  provision,  which  has  been 
made  by  Government  fbr  the  erection  of  a  State  university 
1ms  been  carried  out,  by  framing  this  establishment  on  a  wise 
ond  liberal  foundation.     Its  endowment,  tf  well  husbanded, 
will    make  It    probably  the    wealthiest  institution  of    the 
imted  Slates.     The  cause  of  popular  education  is  now  ri- 
pening, and  a  vigorous  system  of  common  instruction  will 
soon  be  felt  throughout  every  section  of  the  State 

nnbb  I    /'T°^  '^'  superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
published  on  January  5th,  1S37,  it  appears  that  there  are  m  the 


MICHIGAN    AFTER    THE    WAR. 


247 


peninsula  of  Michigan  1,100  .s,i.,aro  niilos  dovotod  to  the  causo 
of  primary  education,  which,  estimated  at  the  niinimum  price  of 
their  actual  vnhie,  will  produce  8520,000.    The  erection  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  which  is  endowed  with  resections 
oi  land  will  also  go  forward  upon  the  same  magnihcent  scale 
Besides  the  ample  provision  which  has  been  made  for  pub- 
ic  education  by  the  establishment  of  common  schools  and 
libraries,  the  erection  of  the   university  of  Michigan   will  ex- 
exhibit  a  literary  institution,  as  founded  on  a  wider  scale,  and 
wi  ha  more  liberal  endowment,  than  any  other  on  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic.     Its  design,  as  expressed  in  the  .statute  under 
which  It  IS  organized,  is  « to   provide  the  inlmbitauts  of  the 
State  with  a  means  of  acquiring  a  thorough  knowledo-e  of  the 
various  branches  of  literature,  science,  and  the  arts""     The 
government  of  the  university  is  vested  in  a  board  of  twelve 
regents,  and  the  course  of  instruction  is  divided  into  three 
grand  departments:-!,  Law;  2,   Medicine;   3,  Literature, 
Science,   and   the   Arts.      lu    the  department  of  literature 
science,  and  the  arts,are  established  fifteen  protessorships  •  con 
sist.ng  of  one  of  the  ancient  languages,  the  modern  lan^ua^es' 
rhetoric  and  oratory,  philosophy  of  history,  lode  and  philoso- 
phy of  the  human  mind,  moral  philosophy  and  natural  theo- 
locry,  lucludmg  the  history  of  all  religions,  political  economy 
mathematics,  natural  philosophy,  chemistry  and  pharmacv 
geology  and   mineralogy,  botany  and  zoology,  ibe  fine  arts' 
civil  engmeenng  and  architecture.     The  department  of  law  is 
constituted  of  three  professorships  ;  one  of  natural,  interuatio- 
nal  and  constitutional  law,  one  of  common  and  statute  law 
and  of  equity,  and  also  one  of  commercial  and  maritime  law 
The  department  of  medicine  consists  of  a  professorship  of 
anatomy,  surgery,  physiology  and  patholy,  practice  of  physic 
obstetrics,  and  the  diseases  of  women  and  children,  and  also 
one  of  materia  modica  and  medical  jurisprudence. 

This  chapter  cannot  i)erhaps  be  concluded  better  than  bv 
showing,  in  a  tabular  form,  the  names  of  the  several  o-overnors 
and  administrators  under  whose  jurisdiction  MichVan  has 
been  placed  since  the  erection  of  the  royal  government  in  16G3.* 

•  Sec  Boueliettu'a  Dritisli  dominions.     Vol.  I.  p.  447, 


'■:/    -(l 


1^- 


ii^ 


248 


HISTORY    OF   MICHIGAN. 


w^ 


'kli 
[,;   iff 


FUENCH. 


Sieur  de  Mesy 

Sieur  de  Courceile 

Sieur  de  Frontenac 

Sieur  de  Barre 

Sieur  Marquis  de  Nonville 

Sieur  de  Frontenac 

Sieur  Chevalier  de  Callieres 

The  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil 

The  Marquis  de  Beauharnois 

Sieur  Comte  de  la  Gallisoniere 

Sieur  de  la  Jonquiere 

The  Marquis  du  Quesne  de  Menneville 

Sieur  de  Vandreuil  de  Cavagnal 


DATE   OF    OFFICE. 

1663. 

1065. 

1672. 

1682. 

1685. 

1689. 

1699. 

1703. 

172G. 

1749. 

1749. 

1752. 

1755. 


ENGLISH  GOVER^OUS  AFTER  THE  CONQUEST. 


James  Murray 

Paulus  Emelins  Irving,  Pres. 

Guy  Carleton,  Lieut.  Gov.  and  Com.  in  Chief 

Hector  T.  Cramahc,  Pres. 

Guy  Carleton 

Frederick  Haldimand 

Henry  Hamilton,  Lieut.  Gov.   and  Com.  in 

Chief 
Henry  Hope,  Lieut.  Cov.  and  Com.  in  Chief 
Lord  Dorchester,  Gov.  General  of  Canada 
Alured  Clarke,  Lieut,  Gov.  and  Com.  in  Cliief 
Lord  Dorchester 

AMERICANS. 

William  Hull 

Lewis  Cass 

George  B.  Porter 

Stevens  T.  Mason,  Act.  Gov. 

John  S.  Horner 

Stevens  T.  Mason 


1765. 
1766. 
1766. 
1770. 
1774. 
1774. 

1774. 
1775. 
1776. 
1791. 

1798. 


1805. 
1814. 
1832. 
1834. 
18?5. 
1836. 


m 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  State  of  Michigan  yet  bears  the  general  aspect  of  a  vast 
wilderness,  occasionally  studded  with  villages,  intersected  by 
numerous  streams,  and  nearly  surrounded  by  mediterranean 

Si  T.  ""'''^'"''^  "^  ^'^'''  ^"^'  S^-  Clair,  Huron. 

Michigan,  aiid  Superior.     In  approaching  its  eastern  bordo 

from  New-York  through  Lake  Erie,  the  lace  of  the  country 
appears  low.  consisting  of  lands  heavily  timbered  with  a  class  of 
forest  trees,  growing  from  a  rich  soil  of  clay  loam,  or  a  sort  of 
muck,  which  IS  composed  of  decayed  vegetable  matter.     This 
character  of  land  seems  to  prevail  upon  a  belt,  varying  from 
five   to  forty  miles  along  the  borders  of  the  lakes,  which 
gives  evidence  that  it  has  been  once  submerged.    The  trees  of 
th.s  heavily  timbered  land,  with  their  massive  shafts  standinc. 
close  together,  cast  a  gloomy  grandeur  over  the  scene  •  and 
when  stripped  of  foliage  appear   like  tlie  black  colomiado 
ot  a  vast  sylvan  temple.     The  streams  on  this  level   and 
densely  wooded  soil  are   sluggish.     In  advancing  into  the 
interior,  a  more  picturesque  and  rolling  country  opens  to 
view,  covered  with  oak  openings,  or  groves  of  white  oak 
thmly  scattered  over  the  ground,  which  have  the  appearance 
of  state  y  parks.      The  configuration  of  the  soil  is  as  if  it  wa^ 
covered  with  mounds  disposed  without  order,  sometimes  risincr 
to  the  height  of  two  hundred  feet,  but  more  usually  maintain! 
ing  an  elevation  of  only  about  thirty  or  forty.     Accordingly 
there  is  a  delightful  alternation  of  hill  and  dale,  which  is 
sometimes  varied  by  a  ricli  prairie  or  a  burr  oak  grove,  which 


rli 


I 


I 


250 


HLSTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


resembles  a  cultivated  orchard  studded  with  the  largest  pear 
trees.  The  peninsular  portion  of  the  State  exhibits  no  rocks 
of  granitic  character,  excepting  the  boulders,  which  seem  to  be 
foreign  to  the  soil.  The  rocky  formation  is  comprised  of 
liine,  sand-stones,  aiid  shales ;  the  first  of  which  forms  the 
beds  of  many  of  the  streams.  This  undnlating  portion  of  the 
State  extends  through  a  great  part  of  the  oounties  of  Hill.sdale, 
Jackson,  Washtenaw,  Ingham,  Eaton,  Livingston,  Oakland, 
Ionia,  and  Kent ;  and  also  far  north  of  the  Grand  River, 
through  the  unsurveyed  district.  The  character  of  thiit  por- 
tion of  the  country  bordering  on  Lake  Superior  is,  however, 
far  diiferent.  I'liere  the  soil  gives  evidence  of  priminy  for- 
mation, and  is  broken  into  deep  valleys  and  rugged  mountain 
chains,  covered  with  pine,  generally  barren,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  valleys  and  the  elevated  plains.  These  furnish  a 
fertile  soil. 

The  rivers  and  streams  which  water  the  State  are  .-^mall, 
but  numerous.     The  principal  are,  the  Grand,  the  St.  Joseph, 
the  Kalamazoo,  the  Saginaw,  the  Raisin,  the  Clinton,  the  Hu- 
ron, and  the  Rouge.     The  first  of  these  streams  is  the  largest 
in  Michigan.     It  is  two  hundered  and  seventy  miles  in  length, 
about  fifty  rods  broad  at  its  mouth,  and  has  a  free  navigation 
for  steamboats  and  batteaux  which  now  ply  from  Lake  Michi- 
gan to  the  Grand  Rapids,  a  distance  of  about  forty  miles. 
The  St.  Joseph  River,  another  beautifiil  and  clear  stream,  wa- 
ters a  fertile  and  picturesque  tract  of  the  State,  consisting  of 
oak  openings,  prairies,  and  heavily  timbered  land  ;  and  emp- 
ties into  lake  Michigan  about  seventy-five  miles  south  of  the 
Grand  River.     That  river  maintains  an  average  breadth   of 
about  thirty  rods  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from 
its  mouth.     The  Kalamazoo  is  a  small,  winding,  and  trans- 
parent stream,  running  over  a  bed  of  lime-stone  rock,  and 
pebbles.     This  also  empties  into  Lake  Michigan.     The  Sagi- 
naw, which  is  on  the  northern  part  of  the  peninsula,  runs  into 
Lake  Huron,  and  is  navigable  for  sixty  miles  from  its  mouth. 
The  Raisin,  so  called  from  the  grapes  which  flourish  on  its 
banks,  is  a  small  stream,  winding  through  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  thickly  timbered  land.  It  affords  water  power,  and  ernp- 


SCENERY,  SOIL.  AND    PRODUCTION.  251 

ties  into  Lake  Erie.  The  Clinton  is  also  a  beautiful  stream 
which  waters  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State.  These  riv^^rs' 
beside  numerous  others  of  less  size,  interlock  their  branches 
hroucrh  different  parts  of  the  State;  and  while  they  beautify 
the  landscape,  afford  water  power  and  navigation,  and  at  the 
same  time  fertilize  the  soil. 

The  soil  of  Michigan  is  various.     It  may  be  divided  into, 
heavily  timbered  land,  barrens,  oak  openinors,  burr-ook  plains 
and  prairies;  and  the  growth  of  the  vegetation  indicates  the 
character  of  the  land.     The  heavily  timbered  land,  comprised 
of  the  largest  class  of  forest  trees,  indicates  a  soil  of  day  a 
wet  niiidc,  or  a  dry,  black,  sandy  loam,  based  on  a  close  soil 
of  reddisn  earth.     The  two  last  species  of  soil  are  hiahly  pro- 
ductive, and  will  yield,  with  the  careless   tillage  of  a  upvv 
comitrv,  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  bushels  of  wheat  by  the 
acre :  and  they  bear  in  abundance  every  kind  of  gram  whi-' 
IS  produced  in  the  State  of  New- York.     This  soil     -'hoi, 
as  pro-hictive  as  any  in   the  State,  ..  mr-r-e  d^'Rcult   to  dear^ 
as  it  usually  costs  from  ten  to  fifteen  dollar^  an    ere  to  fit  it. 
for  cultivation.     There  is,  hov.ever,  one  a-...,  u   .,ge  in  the  tim- 
bered land  to  an  emigrant  with  small  mr-a.  s.     After  the  tim 
her  is  cut  down,  the  soil  does  not  require  nlou-hina  ■  a  harrow 
drawn  by  one  yoke  of  oxen  will  render  it  fit  for  "cultivation 
as  the  surface  of  the  land  is  highly  mellow.  ' 

The  barrens  are  a  soil  but  thinly  covered  with  stunted  oaks  • 
and  It  IS  found,  that  altho^igh  not  the  iwost  ferlik.  taev  nro' 
dune  well.  '        ^    ^ 

The  white  oak  openings,  which  constitute  a  rr^-at  propor 
tton  of  the  soil  of  the  State,  is  w&relv  different  from  the  tim- 
bered lands.     Extending  as  far  as  th«  eve  can  reach  like  lof- 
ty parks,  their  surface  is  covered  with  a  thiw  layer  of  black 
vegetal)lo  mould  intermixed  with  gravel.      A  proportion  of 
marl  IS  found  under  this  surface;   and  l«ne-stone,  p-bbles 
sand,  and  frequently  clay  and  vellow  loam,  may  be  found  in 
the  second  stratum.     This  spee.es  of  soil  is  eminentfy  favor- 
able for  the  production  of  wheat,  and  i«  suppc^d  by  many 
practical  farmers  to  be  the  most  valuable  whew  lands  in  the 
eounlry.     It  is  easy  of  tillage,  and  seldom  fails  to  produce  a 


m 


252 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


ill 

i 


good  crop  during  the  most  unfavorable  seasons.  Although 
not  favorable  for  grass,  oats  and  corn  thrive  well.  These 
oak  openings  present  the  finest  trait  of  scenery  in  Michigan. 
Their  scattered  and  lofty  trees,  resembling  the  most  cherished 
parks  in  En<^^land,  now  swell  into  mound  like  hills,  and  now 
sweep  down  to  a  level  prairie,  a  deep  glen,  or  the  brovv  of 
a  lake.  This  land  presents  uncommon  motives  for  i^  tlement. 
The  only  disadvantage  is,  that  the  soil,  from  the  thick  tuft 
of  the  matted  grass  on  its  surface  requires  four  or  five  yoke  of 
oxen  to  break  it  up  for  the  seed.  The  low  grounds  are  often 
covered  with  tamerack  groves. 

The  jirairies,  which  are  scattered  over  the  State,  resem- 
bling lakes,  sometimes  studded  with  wooded  islands,  bordered 
by  shores  of  forest,  and  indented  with  bays,  consist  of  a  black 
vegetable  mould,  intermixed  in  small  measure  with  cloy,  sand, 
or  gravel.  This  mould  varies  in  point  of  depth  from  one  to 
five  feet,  and  is  based  on  a  stratum  of  clay,  rock,  or  gravel. 
In  some  instances  a  deep  black  sand  constitutes  the  first  stra- 
tum. The  prairies  are  particularly  favorab'o  for  Indian  corn 
and  oats  ;  grass  is  their  natural  product.  Wheat  grows  in 
great  abundance,  but  the  last  is  generally  inferior  in  quality 
to  that  of  the  oak  openings,  as  i'  is  less  clean.  From  the  fact 
of  the  abundant  produce,  this  species  of  land  is  sought  by  set- 
tlers in  preference  to  other  lands,  as  it  requires  no  clearing, 
and  produces  abundantly.  There  are  two  kinds  of  prairies, 
the  wet  and  the  dry.  The  last  have  been  noticed.  The  wot 
prairies  are  marshes,  and  seem  to  have  been  once  the  beds  of 
lakes  ;  and  there  is  evidence  of  the  subsidence  of  the  waters  in 
the  little  islands  of  timber  which  are  frequently  set  upon  their 
sm-face.  They  are  usually  covered  in  summer  with  a  long 
and  coarse  grass,  which  is  suitable  for  winter  stock.  By  drain- 
ing, these  may  be  made  into  good  meadow  land.  The  prin- 
cqial  productions  of  Michigan,  at  the  present  time,  are  wheat, 
rye,  corn,  oats,  buck-wheat,  flax,  pot  ashes,  pearl  aslies,  and 
hemp.  Fruit  also  thrives  well  ;  and  this  is  demonstrated  by  the 
old  French  apple  and  pear  trees  which  prevail,  although  they 
are  but  little  cultivated.* 

♦  It  has  been  peon  that  La  Hontan  alhides  to  the  plum  and  apple  as  growing 


fo   1 


i 


SCENERY,  SOir>,  AND    PRODUCTION. 


253 


^  The  burr-oak  plains  appear  liko  cultivated  orchards. 
The  soil  is  comprised  of  a  mix'n.re  of  the  earth  of  the  prairies 
nod  the  white  oak  openings.  These  bear  a  scattering  growth 
of  small  timber  of  rough  bark  and  a  deep  green  foliage"  '  From 
the  intermixture  of  lime,  wliich  makes  up  a  great  proportion 
of  the  soil,  this  land  is  eminently  productive,  and,  next  to  the 
prairies,  ;s  preferred  by  the  farmers.  That  part  of  the  State 
which  lies  on  the  nortli  has  been  but  little  exploreu.  It  would 
appear,  from  the  description  of  those  who  have  examined  it, 
that  It  contains  extensive  groves  of  pine  ;  and  that  the  laud,  al- 
though broken  by  small  hillocks  and  swamps,  is  in  many 
parts  favorable  for  agriculture. 

The  wild  animals  of  Michigan  have  been  much  diminished 
by  the  advance  of  emigration  and  the  progress  of  the  fur  trade. 
Bears,  beavers,  otters,  wolverines,  porcupines,  panthers,  be- 
sides numerous  smaller  animals,  abound  in  the  State.  In 
the  northern  parts  of  the  peninsula  numerous  herds  of  elk 
traverse  the  silent  landscape;  and  in  winter  it  is  not  unfre- 
quent  to  see  packs  of  wolves  in  pursuit  of  the  deer  across  the 
crusts  of  snow. 

Nearly  the  whole  surface  of  the  peninsula  is  studded  with 
small  lakes  of  clear  water,  which  abound  with  fish  These 
afford,  in  some  cases,  water  power.  The  transparency  of  the 
lakes  the  alternations  of  forest  and  praine,  the  clear  streams 
which  wind  their  current  through  the  scenery,  and  the  new 
villages,  which  stud  the  principal  roads  at  wide  distances,  im- 
press the  scene  with  a  freshness  which  makes  up  for  the  ab- 
sence of  any  very  interesting  works  of  art. 

The  peninsnlar  portion  of  Michigan  being  of  alluvial  for- 
mation,  does  not  abound  m  minerals;  sand-stone,  lime-stone, 
coal  gypsum,  salt,  iron,  and  sulpiiur  springs,  marl,  sand,  clay 
and  bog  iron  ore,exist  in  diiTerent  parts  of  the  State;  and  the  in- 
vestigation, now  progressing  under  the  geological  departments, 
are  constantly  developing  new  treasures,  while  the  upper  por- 

upon  th  .  «I.„.,  of  Lake  Erie.  He  refors  to  the  wild  apple  and  wild  plum  which 
are  .„  „.,ou.  ,o  Michigan.  Charlevoix  say.  the  citron  is  found,  but  ^IT^ 
pears  to  be  a  m.stakc.     It  .s  possible  ti.at  he  means  the  pawpaw  ^ 


!  i 


i 


I    1 


554 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


I    . 


1'*        I 


tion  of  the  State,  along  Lake  Superior,  abounds  in  copper,  lend, 
and  iron,  radiated  zeolyte,  crystal,  irid  quartz,  clialcedony, 
prase,  jaspar,  opal,  agate,  sardonyx,  and  cornelian. 

The  cost  of  clearino;  the  heavily  timbered  soil,  it  has  been 
seen,  is  about  fifteen  dollars  by  the  acre.     This  is  done  in  the 
followuig  mode :  the  trees  are  felled,  and  if  not  split  into  rails 
for  the  fences,  the  logs  are  rolled  together  and  burned.     The 
oak  openings  are  a  lighter  soil  than  the  timbered   land,  but 
from  thegruhy  and  matted  grass  upon  its  surface,  it  will  re- 
quire a  team  of  about  five  yoke  of  oxen  to  break  it  up  for  the 
seed.     The  cost  will  be  about  twelve  dollars,  though  varying 
accordmg  to  circumstances.      Such  land  requires  but  little 
clearing,  and  the  trees  are  generally  girdled  to  let  in  the  sun. 
ihe  burroak  plains  require  about  the  same  physical  streno-th 
to  break  up  the  soil.     This  is  probably  the  most  valuable  kind 
of  land.     The  trees  are  cut  down  or  girdled,  the  deep  and  mel- 
low  land  is  ploughed  up,  and  in  a  few  months  it  waves  with 
a  goldeu  iiarvest  of  wheat,  producing  from  twenty  to  forty 
bushels  to  the  acre,  and  other  products  in  the  same  proportion. 
During  the  spring  and  fall,  the  roads  across  the  State  are 
such  as  to  try  the  patience  of  the  traveller.     Those  on  the 
level   and   heavily    timbered   land    are   almost  impassable. 
Along  the  most  muddy  tracts,  however,  a  rail-road  has  beep, 
constructed,  namely,  from  Detroit  to  Ypsilanli,  and  from  To- 
ledo to  Adrian.    These  are  no  win  operation.    Composeu,  as  the 
soil  IS,  of  a  new  rich  loam  and  clay,  which  retains  and  mixes 
with  the  water,  it  forms  a  deep  nnid,  excepting  during  the 
summer  and  the  winter,  when  it  is  dried  up  or  frozen.  "  The 
climate  of  Michigan  is  more  mild  than  that  of  New  Eno-land 
within  the  same  parallels  of  latitude,  and  comparatively  lit- 
tle snow  falls  during  the  winter.       ^Vhatever   exaggerated 
descriptions    may    have    occurred    reirardincr    the  ^natural 
scenery  of  the  State,  it  must  be  admrtted  that'  nature,  when 
m  full  vegetation,  presents  a  most  imposing  scene.     The  ex- 
tensive tracts  of  dense  forests,  clothed  with  the  richest  verdure, 
fresh  as  when  it  first  came  from  the  hand  of  the  Almio-hty  • 
the  prairies  and  the  lakes,  which  stud  almost  its  entire''  sur- 
face ;  the  yride  parks,  whose  soil  is  entirely  covered  for  miles 


' 


SCENERY,   SOIL,   AND   PRODUCTION.  255 

With  large  and  rich  flowers,  present  a  striking  and  acrreeable 
contrast      The  beach  and  black  waln.U,  the  elm.  th?  maple! 
the  hickory,  the  oaks  of  diiferont  species  and  of  lar^e  size 
the  lynn  and  the   bass  wood,  and  various    other  kfnds  of 
forest  trees,  indicate  the  fertility  of  the  soil  from  wliich  they 
spring     Grape-vines  often  hang  from  the  brandies  a  foot  in 
circumference,  cluster  around  their  trunks,  or  thicken  the 
undergrowth  along  the  banks  of  the  streams;  and  while  the 
glades  open  to  the  sun  like  cultivated  grounds,  the  more 
th.ckly-timbered  forest,  shut  out  from  the  slcy  by  the  njass  of 
vegetation,  and  dampened  by  the  rains  which  saturate  the 
soil,  present  ui  summer  a  ifloomy  twili<rhl. 

To  the  character  of  mere  hrauty,  which  marks  the  penin- 
sula there  IS  a  contrast  in  the  aspect  of  the  scenery  upon  the 
southern  shore  o  Lake  Superior,  the  north-western  boundary 
of  the  State  Those  undulatmg  tracts  of  alluvial  soil,  the 
lofty  oak-lands,  the  rich  burr-oak  groves,  and  the  wavincr  prai- 
rjes  are  no  where  to  be  seen.  As  a  general  fact,  it  is%old, 
broken,  and  barren.     Well  might  I.a  Hontan  call  that  region 

Ifit  '?p'f      ■"''''''■^^"  ^^'^'^'^ '-' P--d  through  it  in 
1688.     To  him  it  m.ght  have  appeared  like  an  ocean  in  a 

deep  dells,  the  fragments  of  rockv  mountains,  which  seem 
wrenched  from  their  beds  by  violent  convulsions  of  nature 
ana  the  extreme  solitude  of  that  region  one  hundred  and  fift^ 
years  ago,  warranted  the  rcmarlc. 

In  travelling  along  the  main  roads  of  Michigan,  splendid 
racts  0    park-like  lawns  sweep  along  your  path  for  miles, 
carpeted   with  flowers,  broken  by  prau-ies,  thick  forests,  and 
lakes.     Here  a  field  of  wheat  or  oats  is  spread  out  to  the 
eye,  and  there  a  well-b.ult  house,  constructed  of  boards  or 
logs,  o»  a  tavern  sign,  painted  with  all  the  art  that  the  conn- 
try  can  furnish,  holds  out  its  inducements  to  the  traveller 
Present  y  you  will  come  upon  a  new  village,  indicatin.r  a  re- 
markab  e  freshness  and  vigor  in  the  enterprise  of  its  found- 
ers.     Wagons,  loaded   with  household  furniture    and    the 
families  of  emigrants,  are  met  at  numerous  points  durino-  the 
season  of  emigration  ;  and  in  looking  away  from  the  roads 


i 


I 


256 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


you  will  see  clearings  through  the  woods,  and  the  cnrl  of 
the  smoke  from  the  prostrate  trunks  of  smouldering  trees, 
which  show  that  the  emigrant  is  there  with  his  axe.     The 
settler  goes  into  the  country  lor  the  purpose  of  practising 
agriculture.     When  he  has  made  a  selection,  his  neighbors, 
for  miles  around,  assist  him  in  building  a  house  of  logs.    The 
droves  of  cattle,  which  he  has  carried  with  him,  feed  upon 
the  lierbagc  which  surrounds  his  hut ;  without  expense  he 
clears  and  ploughs  his  land ;  and  the  next  year,  porhajis,  finds 
hmi  an  independent  freeholder,  with  a  market  for  his  pro- 
duce at  his  own  door.     The  emigration  has  lieretofore  ex- 
ceeded the  produce  of  the  soil ;  but  it  is  well  known  that  large 
qiiantities  of  wheat,  during  the  past  year,  have  been  exported. 
The  seuler,  however,  must  expect  to  grapple  with  hardships  ; 
bilhous  attacks,   which   are  the  prominent  diseases  of  that 
country,  may  surprise  him  ;  and  the  labor  of  clearing  his  land 
may  be  greater  than  was  expected  ;  but  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, by  the  exercise  of   industry,  the  second  or  third 
year   will  find  him  in  comfort  and  independence;  for  he 
derives  a  threefold  advantage  in  his  labor,— he  derives  an 
annual  product  from  the  soil,  increases  the  actual  value  of 
the  land  cultivated,  and  also  that  of  the  surrounding  land,  by 
his    improvement.      It  is  not,  however,  to    l)e  understood 
that  the  country  is  destitute  of  handsome  houses,  althouo-h, 
in  their  construction,  comfort  is  less  rer:./ded  than  it  should 
be.     x\ot  only  does  the  frontier  of  Michigan  along  L.alce  Erie 
and  the  Detroit  River  exhibit  very  handsome  specimens  of 
architecture,  but  the  interior  villages  present  many  tasteful 
and  substantial  buildings,  and  particularly  the  banks  of  some 
of  the  lakes.     These,  however,  seem  to  be  less  designed  for 
show  than  for  the  convenience  of  a  working  population. 

Michigan  contains,  so  far  as  is  known,  but  iew  of  those 
ancient  monuments  of  an  unknown  race  which  are  scattered 
over  the  western  soil,  increasing  in  magnitude  and  spendor, 
from  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Erie,  to  the  City  of  Mexico. 
The  imagination  of  antiquarians,  looking  for  forms  of  art 
where  they  do  not  exist,  has  doubtless  exaggerated  extraor- 
dinary appearances  on  tlie  surface  of  the  soil  into  evidences 


II 


ABORIGINAL    MONUMENTS,  (fcc.  257 

Of  cultivation      Many  hypotheses  have  been  formed  regard- 
ng  these  ancient  works,  and  '',e  arguments  which  were    n 
ended  to  estabhsh  them  have  ended^vhere  they   om^^o  e  " 
n    darkness       After  all,  u  must  be  granted  that  cir  urn 
ta.ces  funush  a  foundation  for  the  beUef  that  a   a  e  of  mm 
have  hv^d  m  this  country  previous  to  the  voya.es  UfeZ 
Cartier,  who  were  much  further  advanced  in  civ  iSon 
than  the  present  race  of  Indians.      Whatever  m  y    e    he 

weU  kn        7"  r'^f"'  ^'"  ^"«'"  ^'  ^hese  ro.naL  ,  it  i 
we  1  known  tliat  fortifications  have  been  discovered,  many  of 

sWe     L7'^'""        "\"""'  ^^"^'P^^^°^  mathematLa 
science ,  and  specimens  of  art  are  also  exhumated    which 

bofvl  b  r^^  'T''\  '^  ^^""^^°  form,-vases,  crucibles 
bowls,  bracelets,  and  implements  of  unknown  -se.-are  found 
buried  in  the  earth  throughout  a  great  part  o.  t!  e  westi  P  r- 
.u  any  in  the  States  of  Ohio,  Kentucky,  and  along  the  ba'X 
of  the  Mississippi.     Vegetable  remains  of  plants,  whose  spe- 

tle  soil  ""u  M ''"'\'  "V'  "^'^"^-^^^^  ^^^°^^  *he  surfoce  of 
the  soil.     If  this  IS  the  fact,  and  it  cannot  be  denied,  as  the 

Tvtl^Zr'^TV'''''''  '"^'^^  different  cabinets  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  ruins  of  these  ancient  works  still 

remain,  then  it  must  be  granted  that  these  reliques  of  a 
Kprang  from  a  higher  degree  of  civilization  than  I  possessed 
by  the  present  race  of  Indians.     The  degree  of  civUi  a  on 
^rhlch  these  works  evince,  has  probably  been  magnified,  aiid 
utensils  and  ornaments,  winch  might  have  beeif  left  by  tfe 
early  French  emigrants,  are  attributed  to  that  unknown  race 
But  the  remains  of  rude  fortifications,  villages,  and  wells  ;  and 
the  several  utensils  which  have  been  discovered,  evince  a  hi^h 
er  de^gree  of  civilization  than  that  which  is  possessed  by  the 
Indians.  Some  of  these  works  occupy  places  which  were  once 
covered  with  water.    The  utensils  give  evidence  of  a  mo  e 
remote  date,  than  the  immigration  of  the  French     The  r 
form  IS  not  of  French  origin  ;  and  it  is  clear  that  they  were 
manufactured  by  a  distinct  race  of  men,  or  that  the  Indians 
have  gone  back  from  a  certain  degree  of  civilization 
It  IS  somewhat  remarkable  tlmt  the  State  of  Michigan  is 


m 


h.   1 1 


258 


HlSTOllV    OK    MICHIGAN. 


I 


in  a  g lent  measure  destitute  of  these  ancient  woi  s  in  the 
more  complex  forms.  Mounds  exist  in  dinereiit  parts  of  the 
State,  principally  along  the  hanks  of  tlie  Detroit  River,  Lake 
St.  Clair,  and  I  lie  Grand  River,  besides  appcurancciS  on  the 
soil  near  Kalamazoo  and  the  Grand  River,  which  resemble 
the  remains  of  tlower  gardens.  In  Wisconsin,  mounds  are 
discovered  in  the  shape  of  mammoths,  elephants,  and  turtles. 
The  mounds  which  have  been  opened  in  Michigan  are  of  a 
round  form,  and  they  generally  stand  in  lines.  Bones  have 
been  dug  out  from  some  of  them.  These  mounds  are  similar 
to  those  which  are  found  in  connexion  with  the  larger  works. 
Whether  they  have  had  any  rehi  ion,  is  a  matter  ofunccrtain- 
ty.  These  works  are,  at  best,  but  semi-barbarous  remains  ; 
and  although  the  opinions  of  those  who  have  examined  the 
subject  are  concurrent  that  the  Indians  did  not  produce  tliem, 
their  arguments  can  only  have  a  conjectural  foundation. 
Besides  these  aboriginal  works,  there  have  been  found  in 
Michigan  the  remains  of  a  mammoth,  in  Van  Buren  county, 
near  the  bank  of  the  Paw-paw  River.  One  tusk,  it  is  alleg- 
ed, was  about  seven  feet  long  ;  and  parts  of  the  back-bone 
were  collected  which  were  of  immense  size.  Most  of  these 
fragments  crumbled  on  exposure  to  the  air.  They  were  dis- 
covered about  seven  feet  below  the  surface.  We  have  seen  a 
tooth  which  weighed  three  pound  ten  ounces.  This  was  dug 
up  at  that  place,  and  it  appears  to  be  in  a  state  of  petrifaction. 
It  is  probable  that  the  future  explorations  of  the  State  will 
develope  more  of  these  organic  remains. 

It  is  contended  by  many  that  these  ancient  reliques  belong 
to  the  Indians  ;  and  the  condition  of  Montreal,  when  Cartier 
first  visited  that  place,  might  lead  somewhat  to  (  >nfirm  the 
fact,  because  it  would  seem  to  evince  a  somewhat  higher  degree 
of  civilization  than  the  Indians  now  possess.*  But  the  hearths 
and  fire-places  which  have  been  found  along  the  Ohio  River 
six  feet  below  the  surface,  the  chimneys  on  the  banks  of  the 
Muskinghum,  at  its  mouth  and  also  at  Point  Harmar,  oppo- 
site Marietta,  the  patriarchal  wells  near  Portsmouth,  the  wall- 

*  Sec  tlie  first  chapter  of  this  work,  where  it  is  described. 


t 


; 


ABORIGINAL    MONUMENTS,  &C. 


269 


ed  town  on  Paint  Creek  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  the  potter's  ware 
which  has  I,  ,  i  found  in  the  same  State  and  along  thf> 
nortfiern  watcr.s  of  the  Scioto,  the  Ohio,  and  the  Missis-sippi, 
tlie  idols  which  ha'  hoen  dug  up  near  Nashville  and  Nat'- 
^^'i'^^'  ''"'  I   which  was  found  near  Columbus,  and 

the  triune  vch.ol  made  oi  clay,  and  consisting  of  tfiree  heads 
ol  Chinoso  form,  whicli  lias  been  discovered  on  the  Tuuy  fork 
of  the  Cumberlatid  ;  also  the  ancient  ruin  of  Aztalan,  do  not 
s^^m  to  belong  to  tliat  people.  The  Mammoth,  whose  bones 
are  found  so  far  below  the  surface,  might  have  been  wrecked 
in  the  deluge  ;  md  the  soil,  by  vegetable  deposite,  heaped  over 
its  remains  ;  but  the  ancient  works  seem  to  refer  to  a  later 
age.  The  racf  to  which  tliese  reliques  belong,  probably  had 
no  great  degi  relinenient.      We  find  among  the  ruins 

of  their  ancient  cities  no  subterranean  aqueducts  or  written 
scrolls.     We  dig  up  from  the  soil  no  marble  foundations, 
no  enamelled  vases   no   wor.vs  of  sculpture  and  painting, 
which  mark  the  country  of  Phidias  and  Apelles  as  the  land 
of  luxury  and  the  arts.     .Monuments,  other  than  those  which 
might  be  conceived  to  belong  to  a  remote  people,  demi-civiliz- 
ed,  and  yet  versed  somewhat  in  science,  have  not,  as  yet,  on 
this  region  seen  the  day.     Extraordinary  exertions  have  been 
recently  made  in  Mexico  to  decypherthe  origin  of  the  works 
in  that  quarter,  with  which  it  is  thought  that  these  may  be 
somewhat  connected.     But  although  the  concentrated  blaze 
of  knowledge  h    :  been  poured  upon  the  exhumated  reliques 
and  sunken  ruins  of  this  unknown  race,  it  has  only  made  the 
darkness  visible.     No  record,  or  column,  has  recorded  their 
history.     The  Mammoth  and  the  urn,  the  city,  the  vase, 
and  the  skeleton,  lie  in  their  sunless  chambers  like  the  spirits 
of  the  past,  as  if  in  mockery  of  an  age  which  arrogates  to  it- 
self the  term  of  an  age  of  light.     They  will  probably  remain 
for  ever  a  signal  rebuke  upon  the  learning  of  modern  times, 
assuming  the  pride  of  universal  knowledge.* 

•  For  a  collrction  of  zoological,  botanical,  and  geological  specimens  of 
Michigan  production,  see  tlie  valuable  cabinet  of  Dr.  Douglas  Houghton,  the 
enterprising  geologist  of  the  State. 


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HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN, 


The  Indian  names  which  marked  the  prominent  points  of 
Michigan,  as  well  as  other  parts  of  the  nortli-west,  exhibit  the 
mode  in  which  the  savages  defined  the  topography  of  the 
country.  From  the  extent  of  the  region  througli  which  they 
roamed,  these  names  are  rather  general  than  particular,  and 
were  used  as  land-marks  to  guide  them  in  their  migrations.  A. 
general  term,  founded  on  a  certain  feature  of  natural  scenery, 
the  depth  and  current  of  a  stream,  the  size  of  a  rock  or  the 
form  of  a  lake,  was  often  used  to  designate  a  wide  tract  of  ter- 
ritory.    The  following  are  subjoined  :— 


ENGLISH. 
Kalamazoo 


River  Rouge 
Milwaukee 
River  Raisin 
Detroit 

Lake  Superior 
Gibralter 
Niagaia  Falls 
Ecjuabavv 
Wassawassebee 


Moskegon 

Pocagonk 

Chicago 

Titabawassee 

Ontonagon 
Huron  River 
Owosso 

River  Ecorce 
Saginaw 
Lake  Michigan 
Mississippi 
Michiliinackinac 


INDIAN. 

DEFINITION. 

Kik-alatnazoo 

Looming     or    mirage 

river,      causing    the 

stones  to  appear  liku 

otters. 

Minosa-goink 

Singeing  skin  river. 

Minwarikee 

Rich  land. 

Numtna  sepee 

River  of  Sturgeons. 

Waweawtonong 

Place  you  go  round  the 

sun  in  approaching. 

Gitchigommee 

Sea  water. 

Kechiessining 

Great  stone. 

O,  ni,  64-garah  (Iroquois) 

The  thunder  of  waters. 

Equabaw 

End  o'"  deep  water. 

Wassawasaepee 

The  River   whore  the 

fish    is  hunted  with 

lights. 

Moskego-sepee 

Marshy  river. 

Pocagonk 

The  rib. 

Sheckawgo 

The  place  of  wild  on- 

ions, or  locks. 

Titebawassee 

A  River  that  runs  along- 

side. 

Nundee  Norgon 

Hunting  River. 

Wrockuiniteogoc 

Clear  River. 

Owosso 

Person  warming  him- 

self. 

Nagaikur  sebee 

Bark  River. 

San-e-noni' 

Sac  Town. 

Michisawgyegan 

Great  Lake. 

Michi  sepee 

Great  River. 

Michenemackinong,  orMi- 

Place  of  Giant  Fairies, 

chiinackinac 

Great  Turtle. 

'!li 


INDIAN    TOPOGRAPHICAL    TERMS. 


2GI 


Sliiawassoe 
Onisconain 

Grand  River 


Grand  Rapida 

Sault  St.  Marie 

Detroit 

Au  Glaize  River 

Miami  of  thoLake 

Sandusky  River 

Cincinnati 

Chillicothe 
Muskinghunj 
Kentucky  River 
Mad  River 
Licking  River 
Cumberland  River 
Blanchard's  fork  of  the  Au 
Glaize 


Scia-wassec 
Oni3con3-,4ebee 

Wash-bee-yon,  also  Wash 
tenong 

Powetink  (Ottawa) 

Powating  (ChippcTva) 

Yondotia  (Wyandott) 
Cowthenake  sepee 
Ottawua  sepee 
Potake  sepee 
Tu  ent  a  hah  e  waghta 

Tat  a  ra  ra 

Wakelamo  sepee 

Kentuckee 

Athenee  sepee 
Nepepenime  sepee 
Magnehoque  sepee 
Q.uegh  tu  wa 


Strait  running. 

River  where  the  wood 

is  scorched  by  fire. 
A  body  of  water  run- 
ning over  shining  ca- 
nals. 
The  noise  of  falling  wa- 
ters. 
Water  shallow  on  the 

rocks. 
Great  town. 
Falling  timber  river. 
Ottawas  River. 
Rapid  River. 
The  place  where   the 
road  leaves  the  river. 
Leaning  bar.k. 
Town  on  the  river  side. 
At  the  head  of  a  river. 
Smooth  stone  river. 
Salt  river. 

Free  with  a  large  knot. 
Claws  in  the  water. 


Gibraltar,  the  new  village  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  Ri- 
ver,  was  known  by  the  Indian  term  which  signifies  a  ^reat 
stone,  from  the  rock  at  that  point.    Lake  St.  Clair,  the  Round 
Lake,  from  Its  form.    River  Rouge,  the  Singeing  River,  from 
the  fact  that  the  Indians  were  accustomed  to  dress  their  game 
on  Its  shores.    Milwaukee,  the  Rich  Land,  from  the  quality  of 
the  soil.     The  Huron,  the  Clear  River,  from  its  comparative 
transparency.   The  River  Raisin,  the  Sturgeon  River,  from  the 
number  ofthat  fish  within  its  waters  during  certain  seasons 
of  the  year.     Kalamazoo,  the  Mirage  River,  from  its  reflective 
power.  The  Moskegon,  the  Marshy  River,  from  its  wet  prairies 
River  Ecorce,  the  Bark  River,  as  the  Indians  were  accus- 
tomed  to  procure  their  bark  at  this  place  for  their  canoes  and 
mococks,  and  wigwams.     Michilimackinac  was  also  called 
the  Land  of  Great  Fairies,  from  the  mythological  superstition 
which  peopled  this  singular  island  ;  and  Chicago  was  named 
from  the  vast  quantity  of  leeks  which  abound  in  that  region.' 
•  It  is  not  claimed  that  these  Indian  topographical  terms  are  given  with  per. 


1 

m 


I 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 

The  system  of  Internal  Improvement,  which  has  been  pro- 
jected to  unite  the  eastern  portion  of  the  peninsula  with  Lake 
Michigan,  sheds  honor  upon  the  State,  and  demonstrates  the 
vigor  and  enterprize  of  the  people  of  Michigan.     Tiiese  pub- 
lic works  are  the  Clinton  and  Kalamazoo  canal,  commeucinsr 
at  Mt.  Clemens,  passing  through  the  counties  of  Macomb,  Oak- 
land, Livingston,  Ingham,  Eaton,  Barry,  and  Allegan,  and  ter- 
minating at  Naples,  on  the  Kalamazoo  River,  about  a  mile  from 
the  lake.  The  Northern  rail-road  commences  at  Palmer  on  the 
St.  Clair,  and  running  through  the  counties  of  St.  Clair,  La  Peer, 
Genessee,  Shiawasse,Clinton,  Ionia,  and  down  the  valley  of  the 
Grand  River,  terminates  at  the  Grand  Rapids  in  Kent  county. 
The  Middle  rail-road  commences  at  Detroit,  and  running 
through  the  countie.i  of  Wayne,Washtenaw,  Jackson,  Calhoun, 
Kalamazoo,  and  Berrien,  it  terminates  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Jo- 
seph on  Lake  Michigan.     The  track  of  the  Southern  rail-road 
commences  at  Monroe  ;  and  running  through  the  counties  of 
Monroe,   Lenawee,  Hillsdale,  Branch  St.  Joseph,  Cass,  and 
Berrien,  is  designed  to  terminate  at  New  Buffalo  on  Lake  Mi- 
chigan. 


(ect  philological  precision,  a8  they  ate  inserted  according  to  their  sound.  They 
are  however,  I  beheve,  generally  accurate,  so  far  as  they  show  points  of  dernark- 
ation.  I  am  indebted  for  these  names  to  Mr.  Hanry  Connor,  an  intelligent 
Indian  trader,  .,ho  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  a  long  life  in  the  Indian  terri- 
tory, and  to  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  Esq.  for  their  supervision. 


nmr   itmi 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


i       .' 


4ln?i  Tt  f  l*^^  ^''^^^?e'*  "'^  Michigan-Size  of  the  Lakes-Fish- 
Shore  of  Lake  Ene  and  the  Detroit  RiverlDe.roit-Lake  St.  Clair-Hiver 
.?"s?  m~^°''t  «'-*^'f»-Lake  Huron-Saginaw  Bav-Mackinaw-Fallfl 
Coai  ^""^L'^^  Supenor-Green  Bay-lake  Michigan-LengO.  of  the 


The  State  of  Michigan  comprises  an  area  of  more  than 
fifty  thousand  square  miles,  and  its  shores  are  washed  by 
Lakes  Erie,  St.  Clair,  Huron,  Superior,  and  Michigan. 

These  lakes  constitute  much  the  largest  continuous  body 
of  fresh  v/ater  on  the  globe,  affording,  with  the  exception  of 
the  obstruction  which  is  caused  by  the  Falls  of  St.  Marie 
around  which  is  projected  a  ship  canul,  a  connected  chain  of 
navigation.  They  open  to  Michigan  a  coast  on  three  sides. 
This  expanse  of  lake  commerce  extends  from  the  remotest 
shores  of  Lake  Superior  to  the  State  of  New- York.  The 
subjoined  table  exhibits  the  elevation  and  magnitude  of  these 
lakes. 

Lake  Erie  is  two  hundred  and  seventy  miles  long,  sixty 
miles  wide,  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  deep ;  and  its  surface 
IS  estimated  at  about  five  hundred  and  sixty-five  feet  above 
tide  water  at  Albany.  Lake  Huron  is  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  long,  and  its  average  breadth  is  one  hundred  miles. 
It  IS  nine  hundred  feet  deep,  and  its  surface  about  five  hun- 
dred and  ninety-five  feet  above  tide  water.  Lake  Michigan 
IS  four  hundred  miles  long,  sixty  miles  broad,  nine  hundred 
feet  deep,  and  its  surface  near  five  hundred  and  ninety-five 
feet  above  tide  water. 

Green  Bay,  which  expands  from  Lake  Michiiran,  is  about 
one  hundred  miles  long  and  twenty  miles  wide.     Lake  St. 


!   Ml 


him 


264 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


Km 


m 


f   , 


umi,:^ 


i  mi>.i 


Clair  is  estimated  at  thirty  rniles  ia  length  and  tweutv-five 
miles  wide. 

Lake  Superior  is  four  hundred  and  eighty  mi'.js  long,  one 
hundred  miles  broad,  nine  hundred  feet  deer,  and  its  surface 
SIX  hundred  and  forty  feet  above  tide  watCi.  This  extent  of 
lakes  constitutes  more  than  one  half  rl  the  fresh  water  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  magnitude  and  depth  of  these  lakes,  the  resources 
and  vast  extent  of  territory  which  they  wash,  extending  from 
the  remotest  Canadian  shores  of  the  North-west  to  the"  State 
of  New- York  ;  the  advantages  which  they  afford  for  the  con- 
struction of  safe  harbors,  and  the  probable  denseness  of 
population  along  their  banks ;  will  doubtless  cause  this  section 
of  country  to  be  of  vast  importance  in  the  future  commerce 
of  the  country. 

These  lakes  abound  also  with  fish  ;  some  of  the  most  de- 
licious kinds.  Among  these  are  the  Sturgeon,  the  Macki- 
naw Trout,  the  Mosquenonge,  the  white  fish,  and  others 
of  smaller  size  peculiar  to  fresh  water.  The  Sturgeon  ad- 
vances up  the  stream  from  the  lakes  during  the  early  part 
of  spring  to  spawn,  and  are  caught  there  in  large  qi  -ntities 
by  the  Indians.  The  Mackinaw  Trout  is  a  delicious  fish 
somewhat  resembling,  in  taste  and  appearance,  the  Salmon  • 
and  are  frequently  caught,  weighing  fifty  pounds.  These 
form  a  principal  article  of  luxury  in  the  markets.  The 
Mosquenonge  is  also  a  fish  of  fine  flavor,  somewhat  similar 
to  the  Pike,  a-      are  found  weighing  sometimes  fifty  pounds. 

The  White  x'ish  is  abundant,  and  constitutes  a  valuable  ar- 
ticle of  commerce  along  the  lakes ;  somewhat  smaller  than 
the  Shad,  and  of  a  form  more  symmetrical.  When  first 
caught,  they  glitter  in  the  sun  like  burnished  silver.  They 
swim  in  immense  shoals,  and  are  taken  in  large  quantities 
around  Mackinaw,  at  the  falls  of  St.  Marie,  and  in  most  of 
the  connecting  waters  of  these  lakes. 

Herring,  Pike,  and  Pickerel  abound  also  in  these  waters. 
Some  fish  of  the  larger  size  are  caught  in  winter  by  the  In- 
dians  through  the  ice,  although  the  greatest  part  is  taken  in 
the  summer  and  autumn,  by  individual  enterprise  as  well  as 


Wf-  ^ 


LAKE  COAST  OP  MICHIOAX. 


265 


by  the  Htidson's  Bay  and  American  Ftir  Companies  on  the 
lakes  partjeularly  on  Lake  Superior.  These  are  pad  ed  in 
barrels  and  transported  to  New-Yorlc  and  (3hio,  wher  1  y 
command  a  gooa  price.  The  fish  of  the  lakes  have  been 
cdebrated  by  the  Jesuits  and  travellers  to  this  r^  on  W 
the  earliest  periods.  ° 

on^L7n7  T'j;"^  '"  '"''''"«  "'»"»  *«  ™^"=™  *ore 
wWch  if     ,  k",  °""'""  '"™''  '^  ^'i-^ly  ="=""'='  fi-°m  that 

dte  Lelr  T  ''?™''  •:•  '=^='  ^""""'  --«"  »'*  ■■> 
aense  lorcst,  at  points  raeelin?  the  cdo-e  „f  ,!,„  bnnl-  -.n,! 

occas,o„„l  y  studded  with  a  .?i,„ge  j„s.  founil    A„    ! 
no  e  whtch  have  been  recently  commeneed  directly 7°  °e 
shore  are  Havre,  Brest,  Gibraltar,  and  Truao-o      \  IrouDof 
beauttmi  islands  are  set  in  the  ,n„„„.  „f  the  Dettf        er 
winch,  m  connection  tvith  the  distant  view  of  the  lake  ^i^Ts 
a  Pictnrescine  character  to  the  scenery.    The  na.„  a  c'ht  1 
of  h,s  conntry,  clothed  in  fnll  verdure,  did  no.  faiUo    I^ 
foah  from  the  early  French  explorers  glowing  enlog  e 

Abont  twenty  miles  from  the  mom h  of  the  Detroit  River 
JS  the  cty  of  Detroit,  standing  on  a  level  a  few  fee    above 
he  immediate  bank  of  the  river.    I.  now  contains  more  tZ 
ten  thonsand  inhabitants.    This  place  has  at  the  prTsent  t  m" 
a  somewhat  foreign  aspect,  „s  it  is  a  general  depot  for  the 
emigrants  to  the  north-wes,  on  thei,  wa°y  to  the  npp  r  Tal  es 
A  grea     proportion   of  this  popniation  are  from  the  New 
iiigland  States  and  the  State  of  New-York   cn™l      iT 
«.h  English.  Dntch,  Irish,  Swiss,  an":t  Frr  'nt 
he  remnants  of  the  early  Canadian  founders  of  the  con",  "' 
Hero  also,  at  stated  times,  may  be  seen  the  savages  Ttho 
emote  north-west,  the  half  breed  Indian,  v.  i.h  deer^^^^^in  c"l! 
m^  and  moecasiiis  enamelled  with  beads,  qnills  of  the  pi 
ciipnie,  red  bands  and  feathers  on  their  hat  ,  bine  frock  a^d 

?f  „f    M-,..-"°':°  ""  '''"•'"  "'  "'°  D«™"  River  the  lolt 
of  the  old  French  peasantry  strike  the  traveller's  eye  stond 
ingin  a  continnons  line  below  the  city.    The  descendant 

iKrs  of  their  fathers,  and   to  «ie  Catholic  faith  which  they 


i    i 


20(1 


IlISTOUV    OF    MlCIIUiAN. 


I  Si 


VI' 


professed.  Some  may  be  ^een  wilfi  a  lon^  blue  gown,  red 
cap  and  sash,  with  colored  leggins,  by  which  tliey  are  dis- 
tinguished. 

The  same  character  marks  the  scenery  as  you  advance  up 
the  river.     The  American  shore  is  adorned  with  Frencli 
farms,  enclosed  in  pickets,  comprising  on  the  river  a  width  of 
about  four  acres,  and  extending  back  until  they  meet  the  for- 
est.    The  cottages  have  a  neat  appearance,  are  constructed  in 
tho  French  stylo,  of  small  size,  and  surrounded  with  flourish- 
ing  orchards.     The  horses  and  cattle,  grazing  by  the  river 
side,  cast  over  the  prospect  an  air  of  great  pastoral  comfort 
and  tranquil  repose.     The  country  along  the  river  has  an 
ancient  aspect.     The  soil  is  a  deep  black  loam,  adapted  to 
all  the  products  of  agriculture  common  to  these  regions,  but 
somewhat  worn  by  imprudent  tillage.     About  six  miles  from 
Detroit,  advancing  upward,  Lake  St.  Clair,  the  smallest  of 
the  chain,  expands  itself  towards  the  liorizon.  On  tho  Ameri- 
can Side  the  banks  of  this  lake  are  undulating,  and  elevated 
about  twenty  feet  from  its  surface.     The  soil  "is  alluvial,  and 
of  a  rich  quality. 

The  principal  streams  which  flow  into  Lake  St.  Clair, 
is  the  Clinton  river  from  the  west  or  American  side,  and  the 
rivers  Chenala  Ecartc,  and  Thames,  on  the  side  of  Canada. 
The  latter  is  made  remarkable  as  the  scene  of  Harrison's 
victory.  The  river  St.  Clair  connects  Lake  Huron  with  Lake 
St.  Clair.  It  is  a  clear  and  picturesque  stream,  maintaining 
an  average  breadth  of  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  The 
American  shore  is  settled  mainly  by  French  farmers,  and 
consists  of  elevated  land,  well  covered  with  oak,  elm,  maple, 
and  beach  woods.  An  Indian  canoe  occasionally  darts  out, 
like  a  silver  arrow,  from  the  shore,  and  then  disappears  behind 
the  woodlands.  The  same  wooded  islands,  the  same  clear 
waters,  massy  and  verdant  foliage,  the  same  steam-boats, 
ploughing  the  field  of  glass,  and  the  same  vessels  with  their 
snow-white  canvass  floating  along  the  unrufiied  surface,  give 
the  landscape  the  same  mild  character  as  that  around  Detroit. 
Belle  and  Black  river,  both  pour  their  waters  into  the  river 
St.  Clair  on  the  American  side.     Along  a  great  part  of  this 


'  r 

In 


I.AKR    COAST    OP    MICHIQAN. 


2C.7 


«horo  the  French  settlements  are  extensive.     At  the  foot  of 
Lake  Huron  staiuls  Fort  Gratiot.     This  battery  commands 
he  entrance  mto  the  upper  lakes,  and  would  be  of  ffreat  mi 
htary  miportance  incase  of  war,  in  furnishing  a  bulwark 
agamst  the  encroachments  of  the  Savages,  and  controlling 
the  conimerce  of  these  waters.     The  advantages  of  this  no 
sition,  as  a  trading  and  military  establishment,  were  fully  ap- 
preciated from  a  remote  period  ;  and  here  the  early  French 

IvZ'v       T'''^  "  ^"^'  "'"'^  ^^"  subsequently  occupied 
by  the  I  rench  government,  by  the  name  of  St.  Joseph.    That 

fort  was  abandoned  and   burned  by  the  commandant  Baron 

La  Hontan    as  early  as  1G88,  in  consequence  of  a  peace 

wh.ch^vas  effected  between  tue  Governof  of  Canada,  Mar 

The  present  fort,  consisting  of  a  stockade,  magazine,  and 
barracks,  was  erected  about  the  year  1814.     Lake  Huron  soon 
spreads  out  its  wide  surface  to  the  traveller's  eye.     The  skv 
and  the  waters  seem  to  meet  each  other  along  the  horizon 
while  on  the  left  appears  a  long  alluvial  shore,  covered  with 
a  growth  of  pine,  poplar,  birch,  and  hemlock;  and  a  wide 
beach  of  sand,  skirting  the  margin  of  the  lake,  occasionally 
diversified  by  masses  of  limestone  and  granite.     The  native 
trees  growing  on  the  shore  indicate  the  quality  of  its  soil 
wh.di  grows  more  barren  and  desolate  as  you  advance  from 
the  head  of  the  river  St.  Cluir.     Proceeding  further  upon  tlTe 
shore  of  Lake  Huron,  the  banks  are  found  more  elevated,  ris- 
nig  to  forty  fi3et  in  height,  and  so  continue  for  about  six  rrliles 
1  hese  are  composed  of  blue  clay,  and  constitute  a  firm  abut- 
meiit  against  the  billows  of  the  lake.     The  features  of  the 
coast  are  not  marked  with  much  that  is  interesting.     No  his- 
toncal  fiicts  of  much  importance  are  connected  with  it      The 
perils  and  privations  of  the  Canadian  voyageurs,  in  by-gone 
days,  have  left  no  trace  to  mark  the  sterile  shore.     The  uni 
forrnity  and  dead  level  of  the  lake  shore  is  maintained  until 
within  about  fifty-three  miles  of  Fort  Gratiot.     Here  there  is 
seen  an  enormous  rock,  lifting  its  summit  from  the  deep 
about  a  mile  distant  from  the  shore,  and  is  called  the  White 


Is 


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I 


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lite  B 

lil 

t)       ft 


2G8 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


Rock.  From  time  inimoiiiorial  tliis  rock  has  been  an  nltnr 
or  a  landmark.  As  tlio  latter,  by  tlu;  voyaircius  ;  but  by  the 
savages  as  a  place;  ol'  Dijhitioii,  where  saeriCiees  were  oflercd 
to  the  (Jreat  Spirit,—  an  aj)pr()priale  altar  (or  such  a  sacriCico. 
^  At  the  Point  aux  IJanincs,  opijosite  the  widest  part  of  tho 
lake,  the  waves  have  beaten  against  the  banks,  and  the  storms 
driven  the  crninhled  stones  into  a  vast  sand  iieap,  now  cover- 
ed with  trees  ol'  pine.  Islands  of  rocks,  clothed  with  forest 
trees,  are  formed  on  this  jj.ut  of  (he  shore. 

Saginaw  JJay  is  a  large  indentation  of  the  shore  lino,  and 
is  estimated  to  be  sixty  miles  deep  and  thirty  miles  broad. 
Near  the  centre  it  is  studded  with  islets.  Twenty  miles 
from  the  mouth  of  the  bay  stands  the  thriving  city  of  Sagi- 
naw. 

Saginaw  river  waters  in  its  course  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  eligible  portions  of  the  State.  From  the  north- 
westerly Cape  of  Saginaw  liay  to  Flat  Rock  Point,  the  shoro 
of  l,ake  Huron  exhibits  a  bank  of  alluvial  soil,  with  a  mar- 
gin ol  sand  along  its  border,  intersected  with  frequent  mass- 
es of  limestone  rock,  in  some  places  ground  to  fragments  by 
the  surghig  waves  ;  at  others  lifting  its  backs  above  them. 
Many  interesting  specimens  of  organic  remains  are  to  be 
found  along  this  shore.  The  absence  of  any  work  of  art 
or  historic  iissociations,  occasions  a  destitution  of  lively  interest 
in  the  scenery  on  the  Michigan  side  of  Luke  Huron.  The  wide 
expanse  of  water  on  the  north,  which  exhibits  no  change  but 
that  of  the  elements,  when  its  forehead  scowls  with  tempests 
or  the  peaceful  calm  spreads  out  its  crystal  mirror  to  the  skies, 
preserits  little  that  is  worthy  of  record.  The  steamers  from 
l^etroit  ply  along  its  shores,  burdened  with  freight  for  tho 
north-western  ports,  and  the  canvass  of  numerous  vessels  of 
all  sizes' may  be  seen  on  the  same  errand. 

To  the  political  economist,  the  practical  farmer,  and  the  pa- 
triot, this  lovely  and  comparatively  now  lonely  scene  presents 
a  diderent  aspect.  To  these  it  seems  a  great  highway  of  com- 
merce, which  will  at  some  future  day,  and  that  not  distant, 
connect  the  treasures  of  its  coast  with  the  markets  of  the  east : 
and  whose  surface  will  bear  upon  its  bosom  the  wealth  of 


T.AKK    C'0\HT    OK    MICIIKJAN. 


5iC)9 


fttnpir.s.  Tliis  cIi.iiiiK'l  of  nmiirratioii  will  unlock  the  fortilo 
^ardc-tis  of  t!i(!  iioith-wi'st  to  wiNtcrn  capital  and  its  wHI- 
known  ontorpriso.  Tlio  ininionso  line  of  ionjst  honkninir  i|,o 
litkf,  JHi.irinjr  ii  jrrowth  of  tlio  pint;,  tli(«liornIo.;k,  and  tlio  iJircli, 
indicafe.<(iHt(!rile  soil  ;  while  ranjres  of  horn(;l,lcnd,  lirnostono 
and  jrranito,  do  not  present  oncourairornont  to  th(5  a-rricnitnrist, 
aloncr  its  hanks  ;  ulthonirli  iho  proniinont  points  and  indon-' 
tations  will  invite  the  estahlishmuntof  lar<re  sea-ports  fbr  active 
bufiniess,  as  the  interior  shall  expand  its  settlements.  About 
three  hundred  miles  from  Detroit,  upon  the  straits  of  Macki- 
luiw,  winch  comiect  the  Lukes  Ih.ron  and  Michi-an,  lies  the 
Island  of  Michilimackinac,  a  brilliant  diadem  on  tlic  brow 
of  the  north-western  lak(!s. 

On  the  shore  of  Lake  Huron,  about  lialf-way  to  this  island 
i.s  Thunder  Hay.  It  is  so  d(Miominated  from  the  impression' 
that  the  air  is  more  than  ordinarily  char^red  with  li<,ditnin»r. 
This,  doubtless,  is  without  (bundation.  Durinjr  the  rage  whidi 
has  not  long  since  prevailed  for  speculation,  it  was  proposed 
to  lay  out  a  city  for  eastern  capitalists  on  its  shores,  with  the 
striking  name  and  fame  of  Tkandcrslmrfrh. 

The  middle  island  on  luake  Huron  is  celebrated  as  a  place 
o{  shelter  for  the  vessels  and  canoes  of  the  numerous  voya^ 
geurs  and  others  engaged  in  the  lake  tnide. 

Michilimackinac  is  about  nine  miles  in  circumference. 
Its  highest  elevation  is  about  thnjo  hundred  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  lake,  and  it  stands  connected  with  some  of  tho 
most  interesting  historical  associations,  as  well  as  natural 
monum.Mits,  which  this  region  supplies.  Among  the  latter, 
are  the  Skull  Rock;  the  Natural  Pyramid;  and  Uie  Gianti 
Arch.  This  lust  name  is  given  to  an  immense  curve,  formed 
and  tlfowu  out  from  tlic  precipice  on  the  north-eastern  side 
of  the  island.  It  is  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  high  above 
the  lake,  and  stands  supported  by  abutments  of  calcareous 
rock.  The  Natural  Pyramid  is  a  huge  and  rugged  column, 
about  thirty  feet  broad  at  the  base  and  about  ninety  feet  iti 
height. 

The  Skull  Rock   is  distinguished  mainly  as  an  ancient 
tomb,  where   the  bones  of  the  dead,  probably  sacrificed  at 


mi 


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270 


IIISTOnV   OP    MICHIOAN. 


at  feasts,  were  not  long  since  abundmitly  to  be  found.    Ahovo 
the  town,  at  some  distance,  stands  Fort  l\Iiciiiliniackinac, 
upon  a  rocky  hill.     Here  a  garrison  has  g»!nerally  been  niaiu- 
tainod.     During  the  late  war  the  Uritish  took  possession  of 
the  island,  end  erecfnd  a  battery  calleu  Fort  St.  (ieorge.    Sub- 
sequently, and  after  the  unsuccessful  attack  upon  it  by  Major 
Croghan  and  the  fall  of  the  gallant  Holmes,  it  received  the 
name  of  Fort  Holmes.     It  is  now  evacuated,  and  in  ruins. 
From  the  position  of  this  island,  almost  in  the  centre  of  the 
lake  navigation,  it  has  long  been  an  important  rendezvous 
for  the  Indian  tribes,  and  those  connected  with  the  fur  trade  ; 
and  also  the  theatre  of  some  of  the  most  important  military 
events  connected  witii  the  colonization  of  the  north-western 
territory. 

Mackinaw  proper,  as  the  term  is  used  in  modern  times,  is 
confined  to  the  island  ;  whereas  the  ancient  town  of  Michili- 
mackinac  was  three  leagues  distant  on  the  peninsular  coastf 
of  Michigan.  The  foundations  of  the  old  town  were  laid  by  the 
French,as  has  been  noticed  ;  and  the  settlement  made  by  thorn 
soon  became  a  nucleus  for  an  extensive  and  valuable  fur  trade. 
After  the  surrender  of  Quebec  in  l7o9,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  British,  against  the  will  of  the  Indians.    So  keen  was 
their  prejudice,  that  Alexander  Henry,  an  English  trader, 
found  it  necessary  to  assume  the  dress  of  a  Canadian  in  his 
intercourse  with  them,  in  order  to  avoid  the  consequences  of 
the  animosity  which  they  entertained  toward  his  countrymen. 
The  demolition  of  this  fort,  in  the  year  1703,  furnished 
them  with  a  prominent  occasion  for  the  exercise  of  their 
•native  cunning  and  cruelty.     The  town,  too,  which  had  been 
for  ninety-two  years  a  seat  of  the  trade  in  furs,  was  razed 
from  its  foundations  by  their  fury.   After  the  destruction  of  the 
ancient  village  and  fort,  the  English  proceeded  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  island  of  Mackinaw,  which  they  fortified  ;   and 
for  a  course  of  years  it  advanced  with  a  gradual  and  solid 
growth. 

During  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  this  place 
was  a  rallying-point  of  the  Indians  hostile  to  the  United 
States  ;  and  in  the  year  179G  it  came  under  the  jurisdiction 


|i»t 


I.AKK   COAST    OF    MICIIIOAN. 


271 


"f  llio  Amoricau  Governmmt.     The  fort,  during  the  Iiito 
war,  was  occupied  and  maintained  hy   liritish  troops  until 
the  treaty  of  CJhent,  when  it  was  finally  surrendered,  and  now 
constitutes  a  part  of  the  State  of  Michigan.     Around  a  small 
bay,  and  stretching  along  the  southern  side  of  tfio  island, 
in  a  compact  form,  stands  the  village.     In  the  year  1819  it 
consisted  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  houses,  containing  ahout 
four   hundred  and  fifty  iidiabitants  ;  although  the  number 
was  at  that  time  somewhat  swelled  by  the  accession  of  In- 
dians and  American  traders.     The  position  and  scenery,  on 
and  about  this  island,  distinguish  it  as  the  most  romantic 
point  in  the  State  of  Michigan.     Rising  with  peculiar  boldness 
out  of  the  watery  realm,  it  strikes  the  eye  like  a  gigantic  throne, 
where  the  native  sons  of  ilie  wilderness  might  well  come  to 
pay  their  homage  to  Him  who  held  sway  over  their  boundless 
range  of  inland  seas.     Its  waters  are  supplied  with  excellent 
fish  in  the  greatest  abundance,  while  the  game  of  the  adjoin- 
ing forest  seldom  disappoints  the  hunter.     The  canoe    of 
the  Indian,  buoyant  and  fleet,  darting  througli  the  clear  wa- 
ters; the  clean-painted  houses  of  the  village,  on  grounds  gen- 
tly ascending ;  tlie  mansion  of  the  Indian  agency,  marked  by 
the  American  banner,  sporting  like  the  spirit  of  freedom,  in  all 
the  wildncss  of  this  lovely  scene  from  the  walls  of  the  fort;  im- 
press on  the  mind  a  sentiment  of  admiration  which  might  well 
awaken  the  fictions  of  poetry  and  the  glories  of  the  canvass. 
In  the  year  1820  tliis  town  was  the  seat  of  an  Indian  agen- 
cy of  the  United  States,  a  council-house,  a  post-oflice,  and 


Fine  building  stone  abounds  on  the  island.     It  was 


g;iol. 

long  the  depot  of  the  fur  trade,  conducted  by  the  American 
Fur  Company  under  the  agency  of  Messrs.  Stewart  and 
Crooks.  A  large  portion  of  the  town  plot  was  occupied  by 
the  buildings  and  fixtures  connected  with  that  establishment. 
Their  warehouses,  offices,  boat  yards,  stores,  «fcc.  were  nu- 
merous, affording  employment  for  a  great  number  of  mechan- 
ics, clerks,  and  engagees,  necessarily  connected  with  so  great 
an  establishment.  It  is  now  unoccupied,  but  the  trade  is  ex- 
tensively carried  on  by  individual  adventurers.  Steam-boats 
almost  daily  visit  this  place  upon  their  voyages  to  the  north- 


r--: 


f    y 


272 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


r  P 

1 

i 

iim 

H.M 

m 


western  ports ;  while  the  numberless  canoes  and  vessels,  dur- 
ing the  period  of  navigation,  which  daily  go  into  the  station, 
give  an  air  of  business  and  bustle  to  this  beautiful  island. 

The  coast  of  Lake  Huron,  as  you  proceed  towards  the 
Saull  St.  Marie,  until  within  about  three  miles  of  that  place, 
is  composed  of  low  swamps,  in  some  places  intersected  by 
sandy  plams,  covered  at  different  points  with  fragments  of 
hmestone,  hornblend,  and  granite. 

The  village  of  St.  Joseph,  situated  on  the  island  of  that 
name,  and  which  was  destroyed  by  Col.  Croghan  before  his 
attack  on  the  island  of  Michilimackina<;,  may  now  be  seen 
a  heap  of  mouldering  ruins.  This  island  was  occupied  by 
the  British  in  1795,  and  contains  an  area  of  about  fifty  seven 
thousand  acres  of  land.  The  old  British  fort  elevated  ilfiv- 
four  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake,  maintains  a  military  po- 
sition somewhat  commandino-. 

The  British  v^overnment,  tfter  the  tall  of  St.  Joseph,  forti- 
fied Drnmmond's  Island,  near  the  mouth  of  the  strait,  which 
lias  since  been  a  valuable  position  in  aid  of  the  fur  trade 

The  fldls  of  the  Sau.t  St.  Marie  essentially  obstruct  the 
ship  navigation  of  the  upper  lakes.  The  village  of  that  name 
which  is  there  situated,  is  about  fifteen  miles  below  Lake  Su' 
perior,  and  ninety  miles  north-west  of  the  island  of  Macki- 
naw.  Its  situation  is  elevated,  and  the  scenery  is  picturesque. 
1  he  enterprise  of  Michigan  has  recently  projected  a  plan  for 
a  ship  channel  around  these  falls.     The  erTect  of  this  bold 
and  honorable  adventure,  when  executed,  will  be  to  open  to 
the  shores  of  New- York  the  sources  of  the  vast  and  unlimit- 
ed mineral  region  surrounding  this  magnificent  world  of  wa- 
ters. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  fall  is  here  about  twenty-three  feet 
in  half  a  mile.  At  this  place  nature  assume  s  an  air  of  un- 
i^sual  grandeur  and  sublimity .  Vast  fragments  of  rocks,  con- 
sisting of  granite  and  hornblend,  lie  imbedded  in  the  stream 
which  opposed  to  the  current  of  (he  rapids,  scatter  its  foain 
around  the  maple,  the  pine,  the  hemlock,  and  the  elm,  min- 
gled in  green  forests  upon  its  banks.  The  canoes  of  the  In- 
dians engaged  in  fishing,  and  which  are  seen  playing  around 


LAKE  COAST  OF  MICHIGAN. 


273 


the  foot  of  the  fells  ;  and  the  distant  mountains  of  Lake  Su- 
perior, which  stand  like  mighty  battlements  on  the  horizon 
impress  the  scenery  with  a  character  of  solitary  grandeur' 
Boats  destined  for  the  fur  trade  can  ascend  these  rapids  with 
half  a  load,  but  in  returning  chey  may  be  filled  with  freight. 
The  town,  consisting,  in  1820,  of  twenty  buildings,  is  on  the 
American  side.     Daring  that  year  it  was  occupied  chielly  by 
French  and  English,  who  were  engaged  in  the  fur  trade. 
The  country  around  is  elevated,  and  the  village  bears  the  as- 
pect of  an  ancient  settlement.    Charlevoix  visited  it  in  1721 
not  long  after  it  was  founded.    In  1762  it  contained  but  four 
houses-^  two  of  which  were  occupied  as  barracks,  with  a 
stockaded  fort  and  garrison.     The  old  fort  is  totally  destroy- 
ea     In  the  year  1820  the  village  contained  forty  lodo-es  of 
Chippewa  Indians  and  two  hundred  inhabitants.      Their 
principal  subsistence  was  the  White  Fish,  which  are  taken  in 
great  abundance  in  these  waters. 

On  the  north  bank  of  the  river  there  were  at  that  time  six 
or  seven  dwelling-houses,  occupied  by  French  and  English 
mhabitants,beMde  the  establishment  of  the  north-west  comoa- 
ny  of  fur  traders.    These  consisted  of  a  saw  mill,  a  boat  yard 
some  stone  houses,  and  a  dwelling-house.     The  company 
had  constructed  a  canal,  with  a  lock  and  towing  path,  fitted 
for  ascending  with  barges  and  canoes  on  their  trading  expe- 
ditions.   They  had  also  erected  a  pier  from  one  of  the  fslands 
at  the  head  of  the  rapids,  constituting  a  harbor,  where  the 
goods  destined  for  the  trade  were  shipped.     Here  also  lay  a 
vessel  to  receive  the  merchandize  intended  for  the  reaions 
around  the  Great  Lake  and  the  Grand  Portage.     In  the^pro- 
gress  of  the  country,  the  Saultde  St.  Marie  must  of  necessity  , 
become  a  place  of  great  commercial  importance.    At  the  head 
of  navigation,  below  Lake  Superior-  it  was  early  deemed  so 
important  in  the  prosecution  of  the  fur  trade,  as  to  be  selected 
by  the  French  Canadians  for  that  purpose,  and  has  been  used 
for  that  purpose  both  by  the  French  and  English,  as  well  as 
Americans,  ever  since.     By  the  late  act  of  Congress  defin- 
ing the  boundaries  of  JVIichigan,  this  station  is  embraced  with- 
in It;  and  the  enterprise  of  the  State  will  doubtless  make  itau 


li 


35 


<> 


74 


HISTOnV   OF   MICHIGAN. 


h 


.1^ 


a^ent  of  great  wealth,  by  furnishing  a  free  navigation  to  the 
Jake,  which  may  be  justly  called  the  Father  of  the  North- 
western waters.     A  passage  of  fifteen  miles  through  a  wide 
and  pleasant  stream,  called  the  River  St.  Mary's,  brings  one 
to  the  lake.     Here  the  Superior  stretches  out  itf,  broad  ex- 
panse far  to  the  west,  like  an  ocean.     Before  vou  is  exhi- 
bited  a  display  of  scenery,  the  most  grand  and  "magnificent 
which  can  be  found  within  the  borders  of  the  State.     It  is  a 
scene  of  simple  grandeur.     The  mountains  upon  the  Cana- 
dian shore  and  at  the  south  lie  piled  along  the  skies,  and  ap- 
pear like  distant  clouds  upon  the  horizon. "  In  a  calm,  the  wa- 
ters, fresh  and  clear  as  crystal,  move  over  -a  bed  of  rocks. 
II  When  It  was  calm,"  says  Carver,  «  and  the  sun  shone  bright, 
"  I  could  bit  in  my  canoe,  where  the  depth  was  upwards  of 
"six  fathoms,  and  plainly  see  huge  piles  of  stones,  of  differ- 
"  ent  shapes  ;  some  of  which  appeared  as  if  they  had  been 
"hewn."    Storms  rage,  at  times,  on  this  lake,  as  upon  the 
Atlantic.     Navigation,  however,  has  not  yet  advanced  in  any 
great  degree  upon  these  remote  waters.     The  barges  and  ca- 
noes employed  in  the  fur  business  hug  the  shores  [n  their  ex- 
peditions upon  them,  and,  of  course,  are  subject  to  compara- 
tively few  accidents  of  much  consequence. 

When  the  French  held  Canada,  a  small  schooner  plied 
upon  this  lake.  As  yet  the  march  of  enterprise  has  not  scat- 
tered its  vessels  and  steamers  upon  its  surface.  It  is  now  at 
the  point  where  Lake  Erie  was  found  in  the  year  1800  Tlnj 
lower  shore  of  the  lake  is  a  margin  of  sand.  A  few  miles 
back  It  terminates  in  highlands  of  considerable  elevation. 
The  timber  consists  of  oak,  aspen,  bir^h,  hemlock,  and  pine. 
The  shore  is  broken  by  marshes,  creeks,  ravines,  and  sand 
hills,  which  give  evidence  of  volcanic  eruptions. 

The  pictured  rocks,  so  called,  extend  twelve  miles  aloin*- 
the  margin  of  the  lake,  and  are  in  height  about  ihree  hun- 
dred feet.  The  various  colors  of  red,  black,  brown,  and  yel- 
low, winch  they  exhibit  and  their  name  imports,  are  caused 
by  the  different  mineral  waters  which  are  exuded.  Aloncr 
the  borders  of  this  lake  are  seen  villages  of  Chippewas,  scat- 
tered along  its  shores.     These  procure  their  subsistence  from 


i 


m. 


t\   i 


LAKR    COAST    OF   MICHIGAN. 


lliB  lakes,  and,  neglecting  agriculture,  many  actually  die  of 


famine 

The  distance  from  Mackinaw  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ontom 
gon  R.ver  on  Lake  Superior,  .  about  four  hundred  and  "x 
teen  miles.     Here  is  the  rock  of  pure  copper,  which  is  safd 
to  be  the  largest  body  of  that  metafto  be  Znk  In     e     or  ' 
w  th  but  one  exception.  Evidences  of  pure  copper  are,  in  fact 
exhibited  on  the  adjacent  island,  and  on  thVshore   of  he 
lake,  in  sufficient  quantity  to  warrant  the  conviction  that  this 
country  abounds  to  a  great  extent  in  this  ore.     A  difference 
of  opinion  on  this  subject,  however,  exists,  which  it  is  pre 
sumed  experiments  will  soon  do  away.    T^is  copper       w   1 
as  that  around  St.  Mary,  was  formerly  beaten  out  by  the  In 
d lans  into  various  utensils,  as  also  into  rings,  bracele     and 
other  barbaric  ornaments;  and  by  the  early  CahoTcrfomie^ 
uito  crosses  and  censers.  ^  '  '^ 

The  principal  islands  in  this  lake  are  Maurepas,  Philinoux 
ho  island  of  Yellow  Sands,  and  Isle  Royale     'Th    E 
vto:rTf?b'^^  ''  a  hundred  miles  Length  andt- 
Le  if.:..-  ?  .     1  ""T^  surroundmg  Lake  Superior,  but 
little  IS  satisfactorily  known  ;  at  least  so  far  as  to  warrant  an 
expectation  of  minute  description  in  this  work.     We  mus^ 
loUow  in  the  track  which  has  been  travelled  by  pjiound 

belief  that  it  IS  a  country  of  great  mineral  wealth. 

The  country  bordering  Lake  Superior  is  not,  however 
genera  y  adapted  to  agriculture.  Wild  rice  or  oits  .  ow  in 
great  abundance  around  the  sources  of  the  rivers  aiKlTkes 

n  this  quarter  ;  and  it  was  not  only  a  grain  of  conside  ab  e 
importance  during  the  early  operations  of  the  fur  trade  but 
1  IS  now  much  used  by  the  Indians  for  subsistencf  i 
following  IS  tlie  mode  in  which  it  is  gathered  by  the  savaJ 
Before  in  is  ripe,  the  Indians  bind  it  sheafs,  when  standiw' 

y  strings  of  bark.     After  standing  for  som;  time  ex  ose^  i^' 
tins  way,  1   IS  collected   by  bending  the  sheafs  over  into  the  r 
canoes,  and  by  beating  off  the  grain  with  large  sticks  umi 
these  canoes  are  full.      It  is  then  poured  intoadeer-sc 
which  IS  placed  in  holes  upon  the  ground,  and  trampled  w  th 


276 


HISTORY    OP    MICHIGAN. 


Alterwards  it  is  either 


i  ■.  i  ;* 


the  bare  feet  until  the  hulls  are  off. 
parched,  or  boiled  for  use.* 

Large  boihes  of  iron  sand  are  found  alon^  the  coast  ot 
Lake  Superior,  greater,  probably,  than  in  any  other  section  of 
^  the  country.  The  water  along  the  coast  is  clear  and  deep  ; 
and  there  are  two  natural  harbors,  which  can  hardly  be  ex- 
celled, at  Grand  Isle  and  Chegormcgon  Bay.  This  region 
will  doubtless  be  a  great  place  of  export  of  minerals  in  the 
future  commerce  of  the  country. 

It  is  enough  for  Lake  Superior  tc  say,  that  it  is  the  largest 
body  of  fresh  water  on  the  earth,  and  that  its  waters  swell 
the  whole  chain  of  the  lakes  of  the  north-west,  fill  the  chan- 
nels of  its  streams  and  the  tide  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  thunder 
down  Niagara,  and  go  on  in  their  everlasting  journey  to  the 
ocean.     The  scenery,  instead  of  being  beautiful  as  in  the  pe- 
ninsular portion  of  Michigan,  is  here  bold  and  sublime.     Na- 
ture seems  to  have  appropriated  this  domain  to  herself,  where 
she  can  be  enthroned  amid  enduring  rocks,  and  reign  in 
undisturbed  solitude.     Here,  too,  she  has  practised  painting, 
sculpture,  and  architecture.     The  pictured  rocks,  painted 
in  gorgeous  colors  by  mineral  alluviations,  spread  out  their 
smooth  canvass  to  the  eye ;  and  now  the  barrier  is  broken 
into  vast  fragments  in  the  form  of  temples,  arches,  towers, 
cities,  and  monuments.     Among  the  most  striking  of  these 
are  the  Doric  Rocic  and  the  Urn.     From  those  solid  walls  of 
rock,  cascades  leap  out,  and  pour  their  waters  into  the  lake. 
Turbid  swamps  stretch  out  their  dismal  morasses  in  the  hol- 
lows of  these  waves  of  rock.     It  seems  as  if  nature  had  rent 
these  rocks  into  fragments  by  some   powerful  convulsion, 
and  had  strewed  their  wrecks  upon  the  sho:es,  in  mockery 
of  human  art.     But  a  small  proportion  of  the  emigration, 
which   is  pressing  to  the  west,  lodges  in  this  cold  and  in- 
hospitable region.     Scattered  bands  of  the  Chippewas  and 
Sioux   may  be  found  npcn  its  shores  ;  and  its  darkness  is 
sometimes  illumined  by  the  camp  fires  of  the  Coureicrs  des 


S.i_i       ii         JJ  . 


r  f 


♦  It  is  said  that  Monominee  River  owes  the  origin  of  its  name  to  the  Indian 
word  which  signifies  wild  rice-catere. 


•Jt 


LAKE   COAST   OP   MICHIGAN. 


277 


region 
in  the 


Hols,  who  have  adventured  there  in  search  of  furs.  The 
bear  and  tlie  famished  Indian  wander  upon  its  hills,  and 
tlie  bald  eagle  sits  upon  the  cUff,  and  whets  his  beak,  or 
watches  for  his  prey  upon  the  broad  expanse  of  Lake  Su- 
perior, which  thunders  at  its  base. 

Green  Bay,  which  is  an  indentation  of  Lake  Michigan,  is  a 
place  some  interest,  as  containing  a  French  settlement  of  an- 
cient date.     This  settlement  was  made  by  the  French    as 
early  as  1G70.     In  1820  the  village  consisted  of  sixty  dwell- 
ing-houses, five  hundred  inhabitants,  and  a  garrison.     Seven- 
ty of  the  citizens  were  then  enrolled  as  soldiers ;  the  main 
part  of  whom  were  the  French  who  had  intermarried  with 
the  Indian  women.     During  the  last  war,  the  influence  of 
this    people  was  strongly  allied  to  the  English.     The  vil- 
lage was  formerly  included  within  the  territory  of  Michigan, 
and  was  tne  seat  of  justice  for  Brown  County  under  tha^ or- 
ganization ;  but  by  the  late  act  of  congress  it  has  been  placed 
within  the  bounds  of  Wisconsin.     The  fort  of  Green  Bay  is 
located  on  the  north  bank  of  Fox  River,  near  its  mouth.    It 
consisted,  in  1820,  of  a  range  of  log  barracks,  opening  upon 
three  sides  of  a  square  parade.     It  had  block-houses  at  each 
angle,  and  was  surrounded  by  a  stockade  about  thirty  feet  in 
height  ;    and  was   then  garrisoned  by  three  hundred  men. 
The  military  establishment  here  has,  however,  become  much 
enlarged  ;  and  a  thriving  settlement  has  been  built  on  its 
present  site,  which  is  probably  the  nucleus  of  a  large  sea-port. 
The  watersof  Green  Bay  are  very  clear,  and  its  banks  are  a  rich 
alluvial  soil,  crowned  with  hemlock,  poplar,  elm,  and  oaks  ; 
and  the  verdant  vegetation,  which  is  generally  much  more 
forward  here  than  in  the  surrounding  country,  has  oricrinated 
the  name.  " 

The  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  which  stretches  like  a  sea 
on  the  western  side  of  the  peninsula,  is  an  alluvial  sand, 
based  on  transition  lime-stone,  covered  at  intervals  with 
fragments  of  rock  of  the  primitive  and  secondorv  classes  ; 
and  bearing  at  points  a  growth  of  beach,  oak,  ,,ine,  birch^ 
poplar,  and  maple.  Petrifactions  of  some  interest  are  found 
among  masses  of  hornblend,  quartz,  limestone,  and  gnmite. 


i  ,i. 


I  i'it. 


yrs 


/' : 


l!     iJ 


f     I 


U4      .}      ± 


If 


m 


mSTOllY    OF    MICIUUAN. 


1  he  diflcront  swlioiis  of  iho  shore  of  th.;  lake  do  not,  how- 
ever,  oxh.hit  a  uniibriu  eharaclor.     M  somo  j.oi.it.s  th.^  banks 
arc  elevated  nearly  sixty  tcot,  with  a  sand  l.oadi  crowned 
with  maplo.     Dnrniir  certain  periods,  violent  thin.der  storms 
rage  up.)n  it  ;  and  tlio  shore  has  been  known  to  be  covered 
with  the  skelet.)i:s  of  ].igeons  and  gnlls,  which  had  been 
drowned  ni  crossnig  at  sueh  times,     l-lagles,  in  i,a-cal  nntn- 
bers,  also  Ireqnent  these  shores,  in  order  to  <rlnt  \liomselves 
upon  their  dead  bodies,  which  are  thrown  npon  the  beach. 
Here   the   bank  stretches  into  a  succession  of  pine-covered 
sand  hills,  and  there  it  swells  into  verdant  and  pictureM.uo 
landscapes,  bearing  a  qmwth  of  lorcst  trees,  which   indicate 
a  soil  ot   the  greatest  richness.     The  progress  of  emigration 
has  increased  the  settlements,  which   were  Ibrmerly  the  site 
ol  Indian  lodges  or  small  trading-houses,  into  important  vil- 
lages.  *^ 

Among  tliosc  places  are  Milwaukee  and  Ohica<ro.     The 
forn    V  01  these  ports  was,  in  JS2(),  the  site  of  a  Potawatainio 
village,  and  but  two  American  lamiles  resided  there  at  that 
time  ;  whereas  it  is  well  known  as  a  village  of  considerable 
population  and  wealth.     The  Milwaukee  River  is  about  six- 
ty yards  wide  at  the  mouth.     At  this  point  is  tlie  city  of  Mil- 
waukee.    Chicago  is  two  hundred  and  seventy-live  miles 
from  Green  Bay,  a  city  standing  upon  a  rolling  and  beantilul 
praine,  and  consisted  during  the  same  year  of  on'y  twelve 
dwelling-houses,  and  a  population  of  only  about  sixty      A 
garrison  stands  on  the  south  side  of  Chica'ro  Crock 

Miclngan  City,  New  nutlido,  and  St.  Jose,,h,  at  t'he  month 
of  the  St.  Joseph  River,  have  sprung  up  within  the  last  /bur 
years.     Twenty  miles  up  this  river  on  the  bank  was  the  old 
F  rench  fort,  St.  Josc|)h,  together  with  the  missionary  esta- 
blishment.    Along  this  part  of  the  coast  of  Lake  Michicmn 
tlic  immediate  shores  exhibit  a  sterile  prospect,  althoii<rh''the 
interior  abounds  in  extensive  agricultural  resources  ;  vi^st  hil- 
locks of  sand,  driven  into   varying  heaps  at  every  storm 
cover  the  banks,  scattered  as  they  are  with  occasional  pines 
and  poplars.     The  principal  rivers  which  enter  into  Lake 
Michigan  from  the  peninsular  portion  of  the  State,  arc  the 


I.AICK    COAST    OP    MICIUOAN. 


279 


Grand,  Moskcgon,  St.  Joscpli,  and  ihm  which  is  called  l»crc 
Mar(|iicttc.* 

Tiw.  distant  from  Detroit  to  tho  mouth  of  the  OutotKuron 
Uivor,  on  [,ake  Superior,  with  the  interme.hate  places  of  anv 
Fonmience,  IS  comprised  in  the  (hllowiu^r  table,  for.ned  !,y 
Mi.  Schoolcralt  ju  his  expediliun  into  that  region  in  imi 

From  Detroit  to  tho  cntrnncc  into  l.akc  St. 

r<„     '^n       ,  MILKS  0   TOT  A  f,    MILES. 

Cjirossol'oi  It, 

Mouth  of  Flint  River,  of  St.  Clair, 

Mouth  of  St.  Clair  River, 

liclle  Rivor  at  St.  Clair  settlement, 

Black  River, 

Fort  Gratiot, 

White  Rock, 

I'llm  (y'rcck, 
Black  Rivor, 

Point  aux  Barques, 

Point  aux  Cficnes,  on  Saganaw  Bay, 

Shawangunk  Islands, 

River  anx  Sable, 

Thunder  Bay  Island, 

Flat  Rock  Point,  near  Middle  Island, 

Prcsquc  [sl(f, 

Lower  end  of  the  Island  of  Bois  Blanc, 

Michilimackinac, 


From  Michilimackinac  to  Detour, 
To  the  Sank  do  St.  Marie, 
Point  aux  Pins, 


•  1  l.m  hlHt  river  dcnvn.s  ,ts  nam.  from  the  following  fuct,  m  related  Ly  Char- 

r^x.-  ,  f  f "°"''  "''^■"'"""'■y'  '■'"""'•^  MurciMotte,  „.  travelling  fr„m  Chica- 
go  to  M.c  nii,nnck,..ac-,  entorcl  thin  river  on  the  Hlh  ,Iny  of  May,  1(575  Hero 
he  erected  an  altar,  and  «aid  mn.n.  Heafterwar.l.s  .v.  ;.t  a  nhort  di^tanVe  from 
h.«  compan-onH  to  return  thankn.  They  «oon  found  him  de,,d,  and  buried  him 
on  he  „nk.  Lrou.  that  tune,  the  river,  .ay«  rjha.levoix,  h„  retired,  out  of  rea- 
p«ct  to  hi3  rcinams,  and  opened  for  itself  a  new  pasaarru. 


3 

9 

15 

24 

8 

32 

18 

60 

9 

69 

2 

71 

m 

120 

10 

13G 

12 

148 

12 

100 

IH 

178 

11 

181) 

.'{() 

210 

40 

2.50 

IH 

2f)8 

20 

288 

Of) 

348 

12 

360 

40 

4.5 

85 

f) 

91 

I      i^i 


280 


HISTORY    OK    MICHIGAN. 


i 


MILES. 

TOTAL 

Point  Iroquois,  entrance  of  Lake  Superior,  9 

100 

Tonquamenon  River, 

15 

115 

Shelldrake  River, 

9 

124 

White  Fish  Point, 

9 

132 

Two-Hearted  River, 

24 

157 

Grande  Marrais,  and  Commencement  of 

Grande  Sables, 

21 

178 

La  Point  La  Grande  Sables, 

9 

187 

Pictured  Rocks  La  Portaille, 

12 

199 

Doric  Rock  and  Miner's  River, 

6 

205 

Grand  Island, 

12 

217 

River  aux  Trains, 

9 

226 

Isle  aux  Trains, 

3 

229 

Laughing  Fish  River, 

6 

235 

Chocolate  River, 

15 

250 

Dead  River  (in  Presque  Isle  Bay,) 

6 

256 

Granite  Point, 

6 

262 

Garlic  River, 

9 

271 

St.  John's  River, 

15 

286' 

Salmon  Trout,  or  Burnt  River, 

12 

298 

Pine  River, 

6 

304 

Huron   River  (Huron   Isles  lie  ( 

jff  this 

river,) 

9 

313 

Point  Abbaye,  East  Cape  of  Kevveena 

Bay, 

6 

319 

Mouth  of  Portage  River, 


21 


Head  of  Portage  River,  through  Keweena 

Lake,  24 

Lake  Superior,  at  the  head  of  the  Portage,    1 
Little  Salmon  Trout  River,  9 

Graverods  River  (small,  with  flat  rocks  at 

its  mouth,)  6 

Riviere  au  Misiere,  12 

Fire  Steel  [liver,  18 

Ontonagon,  or  Copper  Mine  River,  6 


340 

364 
365 
374 

390 
392 
410 
416 


»^r 


Thus  the  whole  distance  from  Detroit  to  the  Ontonagon 


H 


LAKE    COAST    OP   MICHIGAN. 


281 


River,  which  is  situated  near  the  north-west  line  of  Michi  ' 
gan,  follownig  the  indentations  of  the  shores  throuo-h  the 
great  chain  of  the  north-western  lakes,  is  about  seven  hun- 
dred  and  seventy-six  miles,  calculating  the  length  of  Lake 
Michigan  at  four  hundred  miles,  the  length  of  the  coast  of 
Michigan  is  nearly  twelve  hundred  miles. 

The  long  line  of  navigation  which  has  been  thus  brieflv' 
described,  constitutes  the  Lake  coast  of  Michigan.    Stretch 
ing  along  the  east,  the  north,  and  the  west ;  connecting  with 
«ie  rising  territory  of  Wisconsin  the  States  of  Illinois,  Indiana 
Pennsylvania  Ohio,  and  New-York;  each  having  ports  on 
the  lakes,  and  constituting  a  vast  extent  of  territory,  amble 
in  mineral  and  agricultural  resources,  and  with  innumerable 
streams  reaching  far   into  the  interior ;    the  lake  territory 
opens  a  long  line  of  navigation  to  the  remotest  sections  of  the 
north-west  and  will  circulate  vigor  and  commercial  wealth 
along  nearly  the  entire  borders  of  the  State  of  Michigan.* 

♦  For  the  material  of  a  ^reat  proportion  of  this  chapter  I  am  indebted  to  H,« 
valuable  work  of  Mr.  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  entiUed  «  xMarraU  e  of  the  Exol 
d.Uo„  under  Governor  Cass,  in  ,820,  through  the  great  chai.rof  t.^rat 


36 


li'i 
■I  ii 

m 


CHAPTER  XV. 


m 


County  of  Wayne— Monroe— MBcomb—St.  Clair— Lenawee— Hillsdale- 
Branch— St.  Jogeph— Cass— Culhoun— Jackson— Borrien— Van  Buren— 
Kalamazoo—  Washtennw—  Oakland— Livingston—  Ingham— Eaton— Barry 
Alleghan— La  Peer— Genessee— Shiawassee— Clinton— Ionia— Kent— Sa- 
ginaw—Mackinaw— Chippewa— Production  of  the  counties  in  1837. 

Michigan  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Lake  Superior ;  on 
the  south  by  Ohio  and  Indiana ;  on  the  east  by  Lake  Erie,  De- 
troit River,  Lake  St.  Clair,  River  St.  Clair,  and  Lake  Huron  ; 
and  its  western  boundary  is  formed  by  Lake  Michigan  and 
the  territory  of  Wisconsin. 

The  County  of  Waijne  is  bordered  by  the  Detroit  River, 
and  its  seat  of  justice  is  Detroit.     The  north-eastern  part  of 
the  county,  included  in  the  towns  of  Hamtramck,  Detroit, 
and  Springvvells,  is  low,  level,  and  but  poorly  supplied  with 
water,  although  it  is  occasionally  broken  by  marshes  and  wet 
prairies.     The  towns  of  Nankin  and  Plymouth  are  watered 
by  the   Rouge    and  its  branches.      These  afford  valuable 
water-power,  which  has  been  improved  by  the  erection  of 
grist-niills  and  saw-mills.     The  soil  of  the  town  of  Nankin 
is  somewhat  rolling,  consisting  of  sand,  loam,  and  clay  ;  and 
is  heavily  timbered  with  the  white  and  black  ash,  while  and 
black  oak,  beech  and  sugar-maple.     The  middle  is  comprised 
of  plains  and  openings  of  a  light  soil.     The  soil  of  Plymouth 
is  rolling,  and  contains,  beside  the  timber  which  has  been 
mentioned,  thrifty  groves  of  the  black  walnut.     The  Huron, 
a  clear  and  rapid  stream,  flows  through  a  town  of  the  same 
name  in  this  county,  bordered  by  high  banks  and  sloping 
glades.     A  greater  part  of  this  town  is  destitute  of  streams  ; 
the  soil  is  rich,  and  easy  of  tillage.     The  eastern  part  is  com- 
prised of  oak  openings  and  plains,  intermingled  with  groves  of 


1    il 


THE   COUNTIES    OP   MICHIGAN. 


283 


r ;  and 

le  and 

iprised 

mouth 

5  been 

4uron, 

: 

3  same 

loping 

cams  ; 

3  com- 

»vcs  of 

dense  timber,  broken  by  a  swamp,  a  wet  or  dry  prairie     The 
south  part  is  timbered  with  white  and  black  ash,  white-oak 
beech,  and  maple,  with  occasionally   a  white  wood.    The 
south-M-est  corner  is  low  land,  and  contains  a  large  wet  prai- 
rie.     Brownstown  is  not  well  watered,  and  exhibits  oak 
openings,  plainsand  prairies,  intermingled  with  groves  of  heavy 
umber.     The  south-eastern  part  is  level,  excepting  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Huron  River.     It  is  watered  by  Muddy  and 
Brownstown    Creek.      Monguagon  is   situated  on    Detroit 
Kiver.     This  township  is  fertile,  and  has  a  good  quarry  of 
lunestone      It  embraces  Grosse  Isle.     Dearborn  is  a  beauti- 
^1    township.     The  village  of  Dearbornville  contains    the 
United  States  arsenal ;  and  a  large  amount  of  cannon  and  am- 
munition 1.  .  here  stored  for  the  defence  of  the  State.     Detroit 
the  largest  city  in  Michigan,  now  contains  a  population  of 
more  than  ten  thousand ;  and  a  polished  and  agreeable  so- 
Z7f    f.-'^^^f  housesareofbrick.    A generat thorough- 
fare  for  the  travel  of  the  north-west,  it  is,  during  the  proper 
season,  a  „.ost  filled  with  emigrants  from  the  differenf  part 
of  the  United  States.     The  County  of  Wayne  contains  the 
owns  of  Brownstovvn,  with  a  population  of  846;  Canton, 

field,  897;  Hamtramck,  1772;  Huron,  481;  Livonia, 
107.;  Monquagon,  404;  Nankin,  1160;  Plymouth,  2246- 
Redford,    1021;    Romulus,    389;    Springvvells,    960-    Van 

AhZ fir.^^\  ^^^^  '''''^'  constitutes  an  aggregate  of  23,400. 
About  fifty  steam-boats  stop  at  Detroit,  besides  vessels  amount- 
mg  to  a  considerable  tonnage. 

The  County  of  Monroe  is  bounded  on  the  ea.t  by  Lake 
Erie.  This  county  is  well  watered.  The  north-eastern  part 
IS  low,  level,  and  heavily  timbered  ;  while  the  southern  part 
IS  rolling  land,  alternated  by  tracts  of  heavy  timber,  oak  open- 
ings, and  prairies.  The  soil  is  generally  very  fertile  The 
towns  are,  Ash,  containing  a  population  of  1011 ;  Bedford, 
4ol ;  Erie,  999  ;  Exeter,  156  ;  Frenchtown,  1503  ;  Ida  200  • 
La  Salle    826 ;  London,  456  ;  Milan,  270 ;  Monroe,  2795  ' 

fn«T    %u^^'  ^""^"^^'•^^•d'  1128;  Whiteford,  257.  Total,' 
10,646.     This  county  is  watered  principally  by  the  River 


jlSjij 


I 


rHl 


i 


284 


HISTORY    OP    MI(  HIQAV. 


A.-.'r 


Raisin,  a  serpentine  stream  which  flows  into  Lake  Erie. 
The  prominent  village  is  Monroe,  a  settlement  extending 
along  the  banks  of  the  River  Raisin,  containing  several 
handsome  pieces  of  architecture.  Among  tlieso  are  three 
\  handsome  churches  and  a  court-house,  whose  cost  is  estimat- 
ed to  be  about  40,000  dollars.  The  village  is  about  three 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Mrniy  of  the  population 
of  Monroe  County,  who  are  di'  linrjuisht.d  (or  their  energy 
and  enterprise,  are  French.  A  ship  canal  has  been  com- 
menced from  the  mouth  of  the  rivur  to  the  villiige ;  and  a 
rail-road  is  now  in  operat''  u  from  Lake  Erie  to  that  point. 

The  County  of  Macomb  is  comprised  of  rolling  land  in  the 
western  part,  occasionally  broken  by  hills,  but  variegated 
by  oak  openings,  plains,  and  prairies  ;  while  the  north-eastern 
and  western  part  is  level,  and  heavily  timbered.  The  plains 
are  remarkably  free  from  undergowth,  and  the  soil  is  highly 
productive.  It  is  watered  by  the  Clinton  River,  a  beautiful 
stream,  which  with  its  branches  supplies  water-power,  ferti- 
lizes the  soil  and  beautifies  the  landscape.  Its  seat  of  justice  is 
Mount  Clement,  a  picturesque  village,  which  lies  four  and 
a  half  miles  from  Lake  St.  Clair.  Its  towns  are,  Armada, 
with  a  population  of  1001 ;  Bruce,  889;  Clinton,  1193; 
Harrison,  502  ;  Hickory,  249 ;  Jefferson,  523  ;  Lenox,  234  ; 
Macomb,  736;  Orange,  297;  Ray,  78G ;  Shelby,  1153; 
Washington,  1329  :  and  the  aggregate  population  is  8892. 

The  County  of  St.  Clair  lies  in  its  eastern  line  upon  tho 
River  St.  Clair  and  Lake  Huron.  The  llvce  of  this  county 
is  level,  although  the  eastern  and  southern  parts  are  generally 
undulating,  heavily  timbered  and  fertile.  The  northern  and 
wester. 1  i'a:ts  of  the  county  are  of  a  comparatively  light  and 
sandy  soil,  mt^rpersed  \\  \]\  swamps,  lowlands,  and  groves  of 
tameiack.  Large  tracts  of  pine  timber  abound  here,  some- 
times intermingled  with  spruce  and  white  cedar.  Some 
of  the  most  extensive  saw-mills  in  the  territory  are  found 
here ;  and  a  large  a  quantity  of  beards  are  exported  from  this 
county.  It  is  watered  by  Black,  Belle,  and  Pine  Rivers  ;  and 
the  manufactured  timber  can  be  exported  by  water  from  this 
county  to  numerous  points  upon  tho  lakes.     Palmer,  a  thriv- 


THE    COUNTfES   OP    MICIIIQAN. 


285 


jako  Erie, 
extending 
g    several 
are  thre« 
is  estimat- 
}out  three 
wpulatioii 
5ir  energy 
)een  com- 
^e ;  and  a 
It  point, 
and  in  the 
variegated 
th-eastern 
^he  plains 
is  highly 
beautiful 
wer,  ferti- 
f  justice  is 
four   and 
,  Armada, 
n,    1193; 
lox,  231 ; 
y,    1153; 
1  8892. 
upon  the 
is  county 
generally 
hern  and 
light  and 
groves  of 
re,  some- 
Some 
re  found 
from  this 
^ers  ;  and 
from  this 
•,  a  thriv- 


mg  village,  founded  by  an  enterprising  gentlem-a  of  that 
nutno,  is  the  county-seat.  It  stands  upon  the  banks  of  the 
iiiver  St.  Clair,  and  is  fast  increasing  in  population.  The 
towns  m  tins  county  are,  China,  containing  a  population  of 

m)  '  ,  TjMo'V  ''^'''''  ''''  ^'•^'""^^"«'  85;  Cottrelville, 
f»2);  Ira,  ^02;  Lexuigton.  205;  Port-Huron,  824  ;  St.  Clair 
501 ;  and  the  aggregate  amount  is  3673.  ' 

ThcCounty  of  Lenawee  abounds,  in  its  northern  part,  with 
oak  openings,  burr-oak  plains,  and  prmries;  and  its  southern 
part  IS  heavily  tunbered  land.     The  county-seat  is  Tecumseh, 
a  beautiful  village,  situated  upon  a  rolling  country  upon  the 
north  branch  of  the  River  Raisin,  whic! ,  with  its  tributaries, 
waters  the  eastern  section.    The  towns  are,  Blissfield,  contain- 
mg  a  population  of  559;    Cambridge,  523;    Dover,    680; 
J^  airfield,  203;    Franklin,   989;  Hudson,  Lenawee,    1161  • 
Logan,  1962;    Mason,  1,111;  Medina,   420;    O-rden    198- 
Palmyra,  898 ;  Raisin,  1076  ;  Rollin,  608  ;  Rome"  826  •  Se- 
neca,   431  ;    Tecumseh,   2464 ;    Woodstock,    541.      Total, 

The  County  of  Hillsdale  consists,  in  the  northern  part  of 
oak-openings  of  a  good  (,uality  ;  but  the  southern  is  heav'iiy 
timbered  with  sugar-maple,  white-wood,  beech,   and    black- 
wa  nut.     The  St.  Joseph's  of  Lake  Michigan,  the  St.  Joseph's 
01  Maumee,  and  the  Grand  River,  all  head'in  this  county,  and 
variegate  it  in  a  beautiful  manner.     Indeed,  the  whole  county 
IS  well  supplied  with  water.     The  principal  towns  are,  Adams, 
wuh  a  population  of  279;  Allen,  3.53;    La  Fayette,  685 
Honda,  156  ;  Litchfield,  314  ;  Moscow,  496  ;  Pittsford,  550 
Reading.  277 ;  Scip.o,  469  ;  Somerset,  441 ;  Wheatland    729 
lotal,  4/29. 

The  County  of  Branch.  The  southern  part  of  this  county 
IS  heavily  wooded  with  black-walnut,  white-wood,  and  lynn. 
1  he  north-eastern  part  of  this  county  contains  a  number  of 
ancient  forts  It  abounds  also  with  oak-openings,  occasion- 
ally broken  by  prairies.  The  towns  are,  Batavia,  containina- 
a  population  of  357  ;  Bronson,  635  ;  Col d water,  960 ;  Eliza- 
beth, 177  ;  Gerard  448;  Giload,  184  ;  Ovid,  209;  Quincy, 
569;  Sherwood,  217;  Union,  260.    Total,  4016. 


f  I 


i.i 


i 


.f  •  •• 


!-■•! 


if  i> 


286 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


The  Count]/  of  Si.  Joseph  is  of  remarkable  fertility,  and 

beaiUiful  in  the  face  of  its  scenery.     The  face  of  the  coinitry 

is  rolling  in  a  moderate  degree,  consisting  of  oak-openings, 

burr-oak   plains,  and  prairies ;   the  principal  of  which  are 

Sturges,  Nottawa  rfepee,  and  White  Pigeon.     The  climate 

is  mild,  and  the  land  is  watered  by  the  purest  streams.     The 

ordinary  mode  of  cultivating  these  prairies  is  to  plough  up 

the  soil  and  drop  in  the  corn,  which  is  covered  by  the  next 

furrow.    From  thirty  to  fifty  bushels  of  corn  are  thus  produced 

by  the  acre.     The  St.  Joseph,  with  its  transparent  and  rapid 

current,  floats  through   this    county  along  banks  of  heavy 

forests,    burr-oak   groves,   and    fertile   prairies;    furnishing 

abundant    water-power.    Hog  Creek,   Pigeon,   Portage,  and 

Crooked  Rivers  are  its  branches  ;  and  afTord  great  hydraulic 

power,  which  is  much  improved.     The  towns  are,  Bucks, 

with  a  population  of  782 ;  Colon,  368 ;  Constantine,  842 ; 

Florence,  440 ;  Flowerfield,  406  ;  Leonidas,  374  ;  Mottvilie', 

497 ;    Nottawa,  713 ;  Sherman,  1043 ;    White  Pigeon,  872! 

Total,  6337. 

The  County  cf  Cass  is  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  St.  Jo- 
seph, yet  more  level,  and  bearing  a  growth  of  oak,  ash,  elm,  ma- 
ple, cherry,  hickory,  black  and  white  walnut ;  besides  other 
kinds.    The  country  is  free  from  undergrowth,  and  one  may 
ride  through  a  greater  part  of  the  county  with  a  coach  and  six ; 
although  a  wide  belt  of  luavily  timbered  land  runs  along  the 
banks  of  the  Dowagiake  River.     This  county  abounds  with 
several  beautiful   prairies.     Among  these   the  principal   are 
Four-mile,  Beardsley's,  Towhsend's,  McKenny's,  La  Grange, 
Pokagon  and  Young's  ;  and  numerous  others  of  more  limit'ed 
extent.  Lakes  of  the  purest  water  are  scattered  overthis  county; 
and  the  streams,  which  are  transparent  and  rapid,  run  over  beds 
of  limestone  or  glittering  sands,  and,  as  well  as  the  lakes,  abound 
with  fish.     The  county-seat  is  Cassopolis.     Edwardsburgh, 
situated  upon  a  beautiful  and  sloping  tract,  commandsaview  of 
Beardsley's  Prairie,  of  four  miles  in  extent,  and  the^alm  sur- 
face of  a  crystal  .-^heet  of  water  called  "  Pleasant  Lake."     In 
this  lake. you  can  seethe  bottom,  where  the  water  is  fifteen 
feet  deep.    The  towns  are,  Calvin,  with  a  population  of  201 ; 


T 


THE    COUNTIES    OF    MICHIGAN. 


287 


Howard,  366;  Jeffeison,  395;  La  Grange,  699  ;  Masou  "o-l . 

s,rV"f  •  ,„?'"■  ''^  ■■  '■°"»«''"-  ^»« :  Pon   '  ul : 

S^ve^  Crealc,    108  ;    y„li„i„,  42r ;    Wayne,   223.     ToH 

zoo  and  St.  Joseph  Rivers,  and  their  branches.     The  first  ol 
these  nvers  ,s  navigable  for  boats  from  Lake  xMichil  to  its 
forlcs  near  the  cotmty-line  of  Jaeltson,  and  affords  a  Irea 
quantuy  of  water-power.    The  county  of  Calhoun  abounds 
wh  the  richest  tract,  of  burr-oak  groves,  springing  from  a 

a  mt»l   ™^,™™'y^»'  ■»  Marshall,  a  city  which  exhibit., 
h™r  H^"''  ""''  T""'''"^  P^P"'""""-    A  'Church 

*tabM  n!n    r    r™  ■•"■'='''"='^">"=;  "nd  manufacturing 

delight,  and  spread  its  .counties  to  the  wants  of  man.    The 
towns  are,  Albion,  with  a  population  of  773  ■  Athens  288 
Burlington,  178  ;  Convis,  170^ Eckford.  530  ;  Home    1 019  ! 
Marengo   737;    Marshall,  1801;    Milton,  1632;   SherUan: 
6i>3  ;  Tehonsha,  278.     Total,  7960. 

The  County  of  Jackson,  in  the  western  part  is  undulatin- 
and  bears  a  growth  of  burr-oaks  and  white'oak  openmgT  n- 
termmgled  with  prairies,  well-watered  by  limpfd  spfing" 
while  the  northern-eastern  part  is  heavily  timbered,  and  bfo^ 
ken  by  marshes  and  small  lakes.     The  soil,  however,  is  fer- 
tile,  and  particularly  adapted   to  meadow.       The    Grand 
River  Hows  through  this  county,  and  is  navigable  in  small 
boats  and  canoes  to  Lake  Michigan.     The  county-seat  is 
Jacksonburgh,  a  handsome  village,  situated  in  a  rollino-  coun- 
try,  and  contamiag  several  thriving  manufacturing  establish- 
ments.     The  towiis  are,  Concord,  East  Portage,  Gra.s  Lake, 
Hanover,  Jackson,  Leoni,  Liberty,  Napoleon,  Parma,  Rives 
Sandstone,  Spnng  Arbor,  and  West  Portage  ;  the  whole  con 
tammg  a  population  of  8702. 

The  County  of  Berrien  is  comprised,  in  a  great  measure, 
of  heavily  timbered  land,  watered  by  small  creeks;  and  also 


iry 


ill 


1' 


;H' 


l>  I      ' 


V  ,    L<, 


■ 


288 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


of  barrens,  a  light  although  not  unproductive  soil,  covered 
with  a  stunted  growth  of  white  and  black  oak.  The  soil  is  a 
loose  and  black  sand  of  great  richness,  bearing  a  growth  of 
oak,  poplar,  ash,  lynn,  beech,  hickory,  elm,  and  maple.  The 
western  bounds  of  this  county  are  washed  by  Lake  Michigan  ; 
and  the  St.  Joseph  River  with  its  branches,  Dowagiake  and 
Pawpaw  Rivers,  here  flow  into  that  lake  at  St.  Joseph,  a 
thriving  village,  which  has  been  founded  at  the  junction  of 
the  River  St.  Joseph  and  Lake  Michigan.  The  county-seat 
is  Berrien.  Niles  is  also  a  handsome  village,  which  is  situated 
above  the  junction  of  the  Dowagiake  and  the  St.  Joseph. 
The  towns  are,  Bainbridge,  containing  a  population  of  99 ; 
Berrien,  496 ;  Bertrand,  1262 ;  Buchanan,  172  ;  New  Buffa- 
lo, 199;  Niles,  1497;  Oronoko,  248;  Royalton,  175;  St. 
Joseph,  596;  Weesaw,  116.    Total,  4863. 

T/ie  Cotinty  of  Van  Buren  contains  a  great  proportion  of 
heavily  timbered  land,  and  is  watered  by  the  Pawpaw  River 
and  the  south  branch  of  the  Black  River.  It  is  watered  by 
numerous  la';es,  and  broken  by  a  number  of  prairies.  T'le 
towns  are,  Antwerp,  containing  a  population  of  232  ;  Clinch, 
108 ;  Covington,  183 ;  Decatur,  224 ;  La  Fayette,  248 ; 
Lawrence,  202  ;  South  Haven,  65.     Total,  1262. 

The  County  of  Kalamazoo  is  generally  undulating  or 
rolling,  comprised  of  burr-oak  openings  intermingled  with 
rich  dry  prairies  and  heavily  timbered  land.     The  soil  is 
generally  either  a  black  sand  or  a  rich  loam,  and  in  the 
south-eastern  corner  there  is  a  large  tract  wooded  with  sugar- 
maple.     This  county  also  has  a  number  of  prairies,  the  prin- 
cipal of  wnich  are  Gull  Prairie  and  Prairie  Rovde.    Gull 
Prairie  is  near  a  beautiful  and  clear  lake  of  the  same  name, 
about  four  miles  long,  and  abounding  with  fish.     Near  this 
prairie  there  is  a  creek,  which  affords  uncommon  hydraulic 
advantages.    Prairie  Ronde  is  in  the  south-western  part  of 
the  county,  is  four  miles  wide,  surrounded  with  woodland  ; 
and  contains  near  its  centre,  a  grove  of  timber,  consisting  of 
maple,  black-walnut,  and  hickory,  of  about  a  mile  in  diameter. 
The  Kalamazoo  winds  its  grateful  stream  through  the  north- 
eastern part  of  this  county.     The  county-seat  is  Bronson,  a 


I 


THE    COU.VTIESOF    MICIIIGAX, 


2S9 


small  but  handsome  village,  situated  upon  that  river.  Tho 
towns  are  Brady,  containing  a  population  of  1292 ;  Comstoclc' 
1383;  Cooper,  386;  Kalamazoo,  1373;  Pavilion,  548- 
Praine  Rondo,  665  ;  Richland,  720.     Total,  6367. 

Tke  County  of  Washtenaic,  in  the  face  of  tho  scenery  is 
gently  rolhng,  and  the  soil  is  composed  of  a  black  sand,  loa'm 
or  clay.     Alternated  by  prairies,  oak  openings,  and  tracts  of 
gloomy  forest,  it  spreads  out  a  scene  of  the  greatest  variety  to 
the  traveller.     The  red  and  the  black  oak,  the  beech,  the  wal- 
nut, white  wood,  the  bass,  elm,  butternut,  and  maple,  consti- 
tute Its  forest  trees,  together  with  other  kinds  that  irrow  in  this 
region.     The  couiuy  is  watered  by  the  River  Huron  of  Lake 
l^rie,  which  runs  through  its  centre,  and  is  navigable  for  boats 
and  rafts  to  the  lake  ;   the  head  waters  of  the  Shiawassee  run 
through  the  north.     The  rivers  Raisin  and  Saline  water  the 
southern  part  of  the  county.     Ann  Arbor  is  the  county-seat   a 
village  surrounding  a  green  plain,  containing  many  handsome 
^ores,  dwelling-houses,  and    manufacturing  establishments. 
1  his  place  1.-9  established  as  the  site  of  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan.    Ypsilanti  is  another  thriving  village,  which  is  situated 
upon  the  River  Huron  ;  it  contains  several  mills.     Dexter  is 
another  pleasant  village  on  the  same  stream,  containino- seve- 
ral manufacturing  establishments.     This  place  was  founded 
by  the  enterprise  of  Samuel  Dexter,  the  son  of  the  distino-uished 
lawyer  of  Boston.     The  towns  in  this  county  are  Ann  Arbor 
containing  a  population  of  29 14;  Augusta,  5.39  ;  IJrid^rewater' 
923;  Dexter,  596;  Freedom,  795;  Lima,  895  ;    Lodl,  1063  • 
Lyndon,  3(51 ;  Manchester,  805  ;  Northfield,  793  ;   Pitt  r>08  • 
Salem,  1354;  Saline,  1130;  Scio,  1442;  Sharon,  782 -"^ Su- 
perior,  1378;  Sylvan,  480;    York,  1 196  j    Ypsilanti,  2280  : 
Webster,  832.     Total,  21,817. 

The  County  of  Oakland,  in  the  south-eastern  part,  consists 
of  timbered  land,  wooded  with  black  and  white  walnut,  white, 
red,  and  black  oak,  with  some  plains  interpersed  with  marsh- 
es. Oak  openings  and  timbered  laud  constitute  the  township 
ot  Bloomrteld.  Pontiac  consists  of  oak  openings,  and  Oak- 
hind  IS  timbered,  and  possesses  a  rich  soil.  The  north  part 
has  plains  and  prairies  of  a  good  quality.      The  county  is 

37 


'!. 


i     tl 


290 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Studded  with  the  clearest  lakes.  The  Clinton,  the  Huron, 
and  the  Rouge,  interlocking  in  the  different  parts,  extend  their 
branches  throughout  its  different  parts,  and  leriilize  its  timber- 
ed forests  and  sloping  plains.  Pontiac  and  Oakland  are  water- 
ed by  the  Clinton  River,  Point,  and  Stony  Ci  pk,  possessing 
great  hydraulic  advantages.  This  county  potises  a  great 
amount  of  water  power  considering  its  level  surface.  The 
towns  are,  Addison,  which  contains  a  population  of  343  ; 
Avon,  1289 ;  Bloomfield,  1485  ;  Brandon,  263 ;  Commerce, 
747  ;  Farmington,  1724  ;  Groveland,  664  ;  Highland,  440  ; 
Independence,  668  ;  Lyon,  1051 ;  Milford,  ^667  ;  Novi, 
1335;  Oakland,  803;  Orion,  593  ;  Oxford,  384;  Pontiac, 
1700;  Rose,  202;  Royal  Oak,  825  ;  Southfield,  956  ;  Spring- 
field, 403  ;  Troy,  1439  ;  Waterford,  828  ;  West  Bloomfield, 
1004  ;  White  Lake,  363.     Total,  20,176. 

The  Comity  of  Livingston  is  heavily  timbered,  and  some- 
what broken  by  lakes.  It  comprises  the  town  of  Byron,  con- 
taining a  population  of  317;  Deerfield,  369 ;  Genoa,  361; 
Green  Oak,  1435  ;  Hamburg,  490  ;  Hartland,  404  ;  Howell, 
442 ;  Marion,  202  ;  Putnam,  367 ;  Unadilla,  642  ;  Total, 
5029. 

The  County  of  Ingham  is  also  heavily  timbered,  and  but 
sparsely  populated.  It  is  watered  by  the  Grand  River. 
The  towns  are,  Aurelius,  Ingham,  and  Stockbridge,  containing 
a  population  of  822. 

The  County  of  Eaton  is  also  heavily  timbered,  and  is  wa- 
tered by  the  Thorn  Apple  and  the  Grand  River.  It  contains 
the  towns  of  Bellevue,  which  has  a  population  of  438  ;  Ea- 
ton, 330;  Vermontville,  145.     Total,  913. 

The  County  of  Barry  is  studded  with  numerous  lakes 
and  is  watered  by  the  Thorn  Apple,  and  has  a  popula- 
tion of  512,  all  in  the  town  of  Barry. 

The  County  of  Allegan  is  a  beautiful  tract  of  land,  studd- 
ed Vv'ith  lakes  and  prairies,  and  watered  by  the  Kalamazoo 
River.  The  principal  town  is  Allegan,  on  that  stream,  which 
contains  several  manufacturing  establishments.  The  towns 
are,  Allegan,  containing  a  population  of  621  ;  Newark,  190 ; 
Otsego,  341 ;  and  Plainfield,  317.    Total,  1409. 


i 


' 


THE   COUNTIEa   OP   MICHIGAN.  291 

The  County  of  La  Peer  is  watered  hv   the  Flinf  r; 
It  contains  the  towns  of  Atlas,  Bristol,  Hadl  y  La  p  eflo' 

The  County  of  Genessee  is  watered  by  the  Flint  River 
1^88  ,^Grand  Blanc,  691 ;  Mundy,  234  ;  Vienna,  107     To- 
ed '^^iiu"'T  "^  :^'""«^«-'^^«  ^^hibits  a  rolling  soil,  cover- 
ed wt,,  o,k  openings  and  heavy  groves  of  timber      The 

The  County  of  Clinton  is  watered  by  the  Manlp  .n^ 

ana    Va^rtovvn.     1  he  aggregate  population  is  529. 

Ihe  County  of  Ionia  is  comprised  of  heavily  timbered 
land  broken  by  prairies  and  oak  openings.     Tho  G  and  m 

are,  Ionia,  with  a  population  of  511  ;  and  Maple,  5ir  •  and 
the  aggregate  population  of  the  county  is  lO'^S  ' 

The  County  of  Kent  is  watered  by  the  Grand  River  and 
e  Thorn  Apple.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  soilTs  Zber 
ed  land,  sometimes  broken  by  burr-oak  plains,  white  oak  open 
ings,  and  prairies.     The  principal  settlemen   is  at  thfGrand 
Hapids,  which  is  situated  on  a  Rapids  of  a  mile  C     Zt 

l^:S'^^"""^^'  ''''\  '^^  — "«  -r^ded^ 
beautiful  buir-oak  groves  and  prairies.     Gypsum  abounds  in 

large  quantity  upon  Gypsum  Creek  ;  and  several  aTpdn is 

are  near  this  place.     From  the  Grand  Rapids  to  GrS 

^H,  country  abounds  in  oak  openings  and  extensive    met   of 

burr-oak  groves.     Granville  is  a  place  of  considerable  L 

portance,and  has  several  large  sawmills.     The     ^^^^^^^ 


11 


{? 


>  I 


m^i 


202 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Kent,  containing  a  population  of  16G0;  and  Byron,  303.   To- 
tal, 2022. 

Tke  County  of  Saginaio  is  eminently  favorable  for  agri- 
culture. It  is  watered  by  the  Saginaw,  a  river  navigable  for 
sloops  twenty  miles  to  the  village  which  bears  the  same  name. 
The  town  of  Saginaw  has  a  population  of  920;  and  the  ag- 
gregate population  is  920. 

The  CoHHly  of  Mackinaw  is  situated  upon  the  northern 
section  of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan,  and  is  not  favorable  to 
agriculture.  Holmes,  in  this  county,  contains  a  population  of 
664.     Total  population,  664. 

The  County  of  Chlpjmoa  is  but  little  settled.  The  town 
of  St.  jMarie  contains  the  main  part  of  the  population.  The 
aggregate  population  is  366. 

From  the  spirit  of  speculation  which  has  heretofore  pre- 
vailed throughout  the  State,  too  little  attention  has  been  paid 
to  agriculture.  It  is  perceived,  however,  that  the  mere  ex- 
change of  titles  to  property  and  paper  promises,  has  tended 
but  little  to  develope  the  substantial  resources  of  the  soil ; 
and  that  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  labor  is  the  only  true 
source  of  wealth.  Accordingly  it  will  be  found  that  the  en- 
ergies of  the  population,  which  have  been  diverted  from  that 
branch  of  industry  to  the  purchase  and  sale  of  "  paper  cities," 
will  be  hereafter  be  employed  in  production.  The  subjoined 
Table,  although  probably  not  entirely  accurate,  has  been  re. 
turned  to  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  is  the  best 
census  which  we  have  for  that  year. 


ITS    PRODUCTION. 


203 


00 


S 
+—1 

o 


o 

o 

Eh 
o 

Q 
O 

0^ 
0^ 


Hows. 


Sheep. 


Horsea. 


Neat  stock. 


Pounds  of 
hemp. 


Pounds  of  flax. 


Bushels  of 
buck  wheat. 


Bushels  of  oats 


Bushels  of 
corn. 


Bushels  of  rye. 


Bushels  of 
wheat. 


Merchants. 


Distilleries. 


Cloth  dresBJng 
shops. 


Card  inu- 
chines. 


Saw  Mills. 


^i.?2=:?2k. 


r^n 


So  «o  7»  kO  o^  c 
O  t~  55  :o  3 
^•«J«  W  Tt  ^  y 


SJ2 


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)  t-  X  t'. 

1  — lODO 


If}  t^  •<*  Oi  — < 


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»5  'jS  m  m  u-^  -H  ^ 


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t  «  crs  05  (55  g  S!  «  I  -i 

Oi_^  W  T)<_Oi  00  1-1  CO  M 


23g 


Cl  i«  l^  1^ 


-S    S-3    S2 


:2  x  C5  «0  ci 
in  o  ■—  -H  51 
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«>     «»»2«-j©     ass* 
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co'm" 


S5S8 


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«,«-'_©_o_oo  i-i  5  {ft  CO 

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(N  <N  O  UJ 


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f2zri2°^tocot>.(NaD 

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O        O  O  O        O  TJ*  o 

to      to  —  to      CO  SS 
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to  ■o^(N  io_t^  to  m  to  CO 

2  of  ■<1<"(N"fO(N''«f  ^o^ 
~  to  O        ^^  CO  TJ< 


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^3  *™'  CO  t^  ^m  *ma 


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»^  CO  i-.t         5© 


CO        -.  (N 


1^  (N  to  o  o  a> 

"-I  (N  r-i  (N  rt 


W  lf>  CO  If) 


fO  ">  CO  ~  «  lO  .-  CO  -^ 


Grist  Mills. 


c 

3 
O 

O 


lO  "T  TT  *0 


'  ■"•        <N  <0  CO  (N  CO  ■<}>  CO 


/'   i 


'.i/'^i 


294 


HISTORY   OF   MICHIQAN. 


I M^'. 


CO 
00 


O 


o 

o 

h 
o 

Q 
O 


^|i|  ^Sie 


GCiO 


Merchants. 
Distilleries. 


M 


IN       Oi 


Cloth  dressing 
shops. 

Card  ma- 
chines. 


-H  ^  to 


(N  —  00 


(N  -1 


M  U5 


Saw  Mills. 


Grist  Mills. 


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sl 

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•  ft. 
8 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


The  Population  of  Michigan-Tho  particular  character  of  the  population- 
Amount  of  Population  in  1837-Character  of  tho  Indians-Their  number. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  emigration  to  the  west,  from 
the  different  sections  of  the  east,  has  generally  been  confined 
withm  their  several  parallels  of  latitude.     By  consequence, 
the  mass  of  the  population  of  Michigan  is  comprised  of  emi- 
grants from  New  England  and  New- York.     New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania  have  each,  it  is  true,  contributed  their  quota ; 
and  the  merry  plains  of  England,  Ireland,  and  the  German 
forests,  have  sent  a  portion  of  their  population  to  this  as  well 
as  the  other  States.     The  local  character  of  the  State,  consti- 
tuted  of  these  different  elements,  is  now,  therefore,  not  alto- 
gether formed.  It  is  undergoing  the  process  of  amalgamation. 
The  sober,  careful,  and  straight-forward  perseverance  of  the 
New  England  States  is  so  mixed  with  the  more  daring  enter- 
prise of  New- York,  as  to  give  vast  impulse  to  the  character 
of  the  people,  and  momentum  to  the  projects  which  necessa- 
rily belong  to  the  rapid  progress  of  a  new  country.     One 
fact,  however,  is  obvious,- the  population  of  Michicran  ex- 
hibits uncommon  practical  intelligence  as  well  as  enterprise. 
Removing  from  the  eastern  States,  where  the  avenues  of  wealth 
and  distinction  are  occupied,  to  a  wider  field,  where  they  can 
vest  their  enterprise,  it  is  clear  that  the  energy  which  has  led 
them  to  emigrate  will  induce  a  great  degree  of  activity  in  a 
country  where  every  thing  is  to  be  done,  and  comparatively 
few  to  do  any  thing.    The  people  of  the  Stale,  now  amount- 
mg  to  more  than  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand, 
collected  in  the  cities  along  the  frontier,  and  scattered  throucrli 

IT 


kl 


m 

m 


29G 


IIISTOttY   OF    MICUIOAN. 


|!r: 


r  < 


rm 


the  wilderness,  in  their  log-houses,  or  along  the  banks  of  the 
streams  in  the  new  villages  which  are  just  springing  up,  or 
in  the  cotta?es  of  the  habitans  or  old  French  peasantry,  as 
merchants,  manufacturers,  farmers,  mechanics,  and  profession- 
al men,  employed  in  building  villages,  clearing  woods,  drain- 
ing marshes,  establishing  cities,  and  building  roads,  is  com- 
pounded of  New  England,  New- York,  and  foreign  elements. 
The  original  white  colonists  are  altogether  comprised  in  the 
Canadian  French  peasantry,  who  were  sent  over  when  the 
country  was  under  French  jurisdiction,  and  they  are,  for  the 
most  part,  engaged  in  agriculture. 

The  emigrants  to  Michigan  find  uncommon  means  and 
motives  to  exertion  in  this  country.  Forests  are  to  be  clear- 
ed, fields  are  to  be  cultivated,  roads  are  to  be  made,  streams 
are  to  be  explored,  deepened,  and  navigated  ;  cities  to  be  built ; 
rail-roads  and  canals  to  be  constructed  ;  and  frames  of  civil 
policy  to  be  organized.  They  are  called  upon,  as  founders  of 
the  country,  to  co-operate  in  eiTecting  these  works.  The  fact 
that  there  is  no  argument  like  necessity  to  stimulate  a  man  to 
great  achievements,  is  felt  in  that  energy  of  mind  which  has 
brought  so  many  emigrants  of  this  character  into  the  State. 
They  have  found  the  field  at  the  east  occupied  by  men  who 
have  grown  old  in  talent  and  influence  ;  and  their  own  ambi- 
tion and  indigence  perhaps  have  inclined  them  to  seek  out 
fresher  sources  of  aggrandizement  in  the  broad  and  growino- 
region  of  a  new  country.  In  such  a  state  of  tilings  all  class- 
es find  ample  scope  for  the  exercise  of  their  industry. 

It  is  manifest  that  no  man  would  venture  upon  the  hard- 
ships of  a  wilderness  unless  he  was  backed  by  considerable 
resolution  and  perseverance.  The  consequence  is,  that  ihe 
State  of  Michigan  is  rapidly  filling  up  with  an  active  class  of 
people  from  the  east,  wlio  have  left  the  Atlantic  frontier  to  im- 
prove their  fortunes,  or  perhaps  from  that  restless  and  migrato- 
ry character  which  belongs  to  this  country.  Men  of  opulence 
stay  at  home.  The  men  who  are,  from  necessity  as  well  as 
education,  habituated  to  shoulder  the  burdens  of  life,  are  the 
emigrants  to  a  country  where  these  burdens  are  to  be  endur- 
ed.    Wealth  and  honor,  therefore,  are  the  grand  motives  of 


POPULATION.  207 

emigration.    Speculation  and  politics  are  th«  ..i     • 

emi,.ration,  which  h  evornr      •^^^""^'^^^^  5  «»d  the  tide  of 
^        ",  wulun  IS  ever  rushino-  mfn  tho  «to*^  ■    l 

"pon  its  bosom  new  sources  of  wrh  '^  :■  ^'""'"•^ 
comes  into  the  country  witi   ll T  r''^  ^'^'■'^^^'  ^^''« 

collected  under  t;^,:,st  oVZ^T  'T"'""  ^"°^^ 
oxen  which  are  to  plouT  his  loT  ^°"'  '^'"'"'^  ^^  ^'^° 
hnild  a  house,  a  boat  or  an  ''''^  "'''''"  ''^'  '«  ^'^ 

alo.-house  on  Z  1^.    "        '^"^  ^^^^^3^  «^"l<'^r  who  erects 

tends  to  advance  he  Itidvn'r'"  "'"  '°''  ^'"^'^«^'°". 

ti-  custom  of  '  rw^'  'J:;"""!  "'"  "'"^'  ^^'^^-'^ ' 
speculator.     One  canZ^?^^  "/^^^^  ^^^^^  individual  a 

accurate  financial  ImowL  c^r't''.'  ^"''  ''  ^''  '"^P"^^^  ^t  the 

ed  through  an  c^iLs^ott^  ''^^"^'"^^■ 

what  every  thin^  is  xvonh  ll\     »      ^-     '^^  '"""^^  '°  '"'^^^ 

consequences  oflhl^lV^^^^^^^^  ?/'/-     ^^^e 

are  discussed  in  almost  JZio^^tH,  ^  ^'"^"'^  ^'^tes 

tary  log-cabin  uponTh  "ho    f^^^^^^^^  ^^^  -'i- 

New-York  Merchants'  Exclave    ''^^f '^'"^^^".-  i'^  the 

progressof  the  country  wl„S-btloTl  '"  ^'^ 

imity  to  New-York-  fL  f     i  ,■       "*^^^  ^<-^"'t^  ^om  itsprox- 

*o  difeen.  sec.i„„li-teti     's.rr  'l,""T'^  "■°'» 
.lects  are  conceived,  aud  even  executed  L  ""■-'""<=™'  P"" 

been  limited  to  the  few  naternl   !  ,  •  '?^''  """'''  h"™ 

Ploughed  hefo.  thrci:::r:tf*""^"'^-^ 

i"  Acght  and  action.    In    .e  Nei  Elf  T^''  'ndependen. 


/ 


?1 


298 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


\h 


,|'l 


arrn,  and  influence,  are  marked  out ;  and  the  yoiUh  are  con- 
fined to  the  shadows  of  the  cloister;  large  masses  of  wealth 
are  accumulated  and  hoarded  up.  Here  it  is  far  otherwise. 
The  people  find  themselves  ihc  occupants  of  a  wide  and 
bounteous  soil,  and  in  a  community  which  is  orn^nnized  by 
themselves.  The  spirit  of  our  institutions  seems  to  impress 
them  with  a  conviction  of  their  own  independence.  They 
are  bound  down  l^y  no  prescriptive  forms  of  opinion,  because 
no  prescriptive  forms  of  opinion  exist.  Wealth  is  so  easily 
accumulated,  that  it  does  not  possess  that  social  influence 
which  is  discernible  in  the  older  States.  Throui,Hiout  the 
wiiolc  extent  of  the  State  there  is  a  commonwealth  of  associ- 
ation, becavise  there  is  a  commonwealth  of  action.  The 
settler  in  his  log-cabin,  or  the  mechanic  in  liis  workshop,  is 
actuated  by  a  spirit  of  sturdy  independence,  which  holds 
nothincT  above  him  but  "  God  and  the  laws."  He  has  no  re- 
verence for  stars,  or  garters,  or  crowns.  While  the  minds  of 
men  have  become  liberalized  by  contact  with  large  interests, 
the  circle  of  enterprise  is  widened  in  the  same  proportion. 
To  build  a  city,  is  deemed  a  labor  of  less  importance  than 
formerly  to  construct  a  house.  Space  is  abridged  ;  iUid  a  jour- 
ney of  two  hundred  miles  on  horseback  through  the  wilder- 
ness, is  considered  a  fourfold  less  labor  than  was  the  same 
distance,  twenty  years  ago,  in  the  eastern  States. 

Although  the  colleges  of  the  east  have  doubtless  sent  out  a 
o-reat  number  of  professional  men  into  Michigan,  as  well  as 
the  other  western  States,  literature  is  very  far  from  being  the 
characteristic  spirit  of  the  people.  They,  in  fact,  seem  to  have 
little  confidence  in  that  theoretic  knowledge  which  men  ac- 
quire from  books,  and  great  confidence  in  that  practical  infor- 
mation which  is  derived  from  the  study  of  men  and  things; 
conseiiuontly  a  greater  share  of  practical  business  men  are 
found  in  Michigan  than  in  most  of  the  States,-— men,  who  are 
unacqufiinted  with  the  classic  literature  of  Greece  or  Rome, 
but  with  human  nature  and  the  facts  about  them.  In  nil 
matters  of  religion  and  government  they  are  liberal  and  inde- 
pendent. Doubtless  largo  masses  of  ignorance  prevail  in  the 
more  remote  sections  of  the  State,  which  give  ground  to  fana- 


'^ 


POPULATION. 


299 


ficisni ;  but  common  sense  is  more  frequently  the  miide  in 
matters  otroli,ion.     To  all  ar,uments\vhich  woufd  sho^ 

he  moqnal.ty  m  n.er,  they  would  interpose  that  wide  doc- 
t  ne  ot  the  declaration  of  Independence,  which  dechires  -  that 
all  men  are  horn  free  and  equal."  Throuc^hout  the  whole 
ra.iirc  ol  enterprise,  the  constantly  advancing  prorrress  of  the 
country,  and  the  n.otives  to  cxorLn,  which \u-e  Ctinunt 
pressing  upon  the  mind,  induce  a  constant  stimulus  to  o,c.'t 
excneuKMU;  and  the  labors  which  the  emigrant  encounters, 

sa  ly  br.ng  ,o  b.s  mind  an  amount  of  knowledge,  which 
could  be  scarcely  acquired  where  the  foundations  o>  the  so 
c ml  system  have  been  already  constructed  and  settled.  If  the 
iterature  and  the  blandishments  of  an  older  form  of  society 
mewantmo  thereis  a  counterbalancing  advantage  in  that 
^os^n,ess  and  v.gor  of  utihtarian  pursuit,  which  secerns  to  en 
gloss  the  mind. 

The  French  are  the  offspring  of  the  colonies  which  emiarat- 
ed  during  t  e  possession  of  the  country  by  France,  and  '^also 
the  sc  utered  settlers,  who  have  from  time  to  time  cr;)ssed  over 
horn  Canada  to  the  American  shores.      These  are  spread 
along  the  banks  of  the  principal  streams  upon  the  Michigan 
frontier,  and  their  houses  border  the  Detroit  River  for  a  lon<>- 
distance      They  may  be  known  from  their  antique  coustruc"! 
lon,  and  the  picket  fences  which  surround  their  fhrms.     The 
trench  population  of  Michigan  are  a  quiet  and  eourteous 
race  of  men,  who  are  content  to  live  upon  the  domain  of  their 
ancestors  without  exercising  any  considerable  derive  of  en 
terprise.     From  long  connexion  with  the  Indians,  die  French 
population  in  the  interior  seem  to  have  become  somewhat  in- 
corporated with  them  in  sympathies  and  pursuits;  and  vou 
see  many  in  the  remote  villages  arrayed  in  a  demi-savLe 
dress.     Some  have  intermarried  with  the  sav.ages,  and  not'a 
few  possess  m  their  veins  an  intermixture  of  Indian  blood 
In  the  advancing  progress  of  the  country,  their  lands,  which 
are  of  the  most  eligible  location,  and  which  have  also  been 
confirmed  to  them   by  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  are  the 
sues  of  important  towns.     They  are  distrustful  of  the  whites 


4 


W 


f. 


I    fi 


li' 


If 


300 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN, 


and  are  not  generally  anxious  to  sell  their  property,  although 
many  have  been  made  rich  by  the  advanced  value  of  real 
estate. 

The  following  is  the  population  of  Michigan  according  to 
the  census  of  1837.  ^ 


!*    Ik" 


%% 


\l 


•1^ 


CENSUS  OP  MICHIGAN  IN  OCTOBER,  183T 


ALLEGAN  COUNTY. 


BRANCH  COUNTY. 


Allegan 
Newark 
Otsego 
Plainfield 


Townships. 


Batavia 
621     Bronson 
190    Cold  water 
341     Elizabeth 
317    Gerard 

Goliad 


Total,  1,469    Ovid 

Q,uincy 

BARRY  COUNTY.  ShorWOOd 

Union 
Township. 
Barry  513 


357 
635 

960 

177 

448 

184 

£09 

569 

217 

260 


Total,  4,016 


Total,  512 


CALHOUN  COUNTY. 


BERRIEN  COUNTY. 


Bainbridge 

Berrien 

Bertrand 

Buchanan 

New  Buffalo 

Niles 

Oronoko 

Royal  ton 

St.  Joseph 

Weesaw 


M 


99 
496 

1,262 
172 
199 

1,497 
248 
175 
599 
116 

Total,  4,863 


Albion 

Athens 

Burlington 

Con  vis 

Eckford 

Homer 

Marengo 

Marshall 

Milton 

Sheridan 

Tekonsha 


773 

288 

378 

170 

530 

1,019 

737 

1,801 

1,632 

353 

278 


Total,  7,960 


m 


.!;.[*!   i 


',  although 
ue  of  real 

lording  to 


POPULATION. 


301 


fTY. 

357 

635 

960 

177 

448 

184 

£09 

569 

217 

260 

a],  4,016 

Ty. 

773 

288 

378 

170 

530 

1,019 

737 

1,80J 

1,632 

353 

278 

.1,  7,960 


CASS  COUNTY. 


GENESSEE  COUNTY. 


Calvin 

Howard 

Jefferson 

La  Gransre 

Macon 

Ontwa 

Penn 

Pokagon 

Porter 

Silver  Creek 

Volinia 

Wayne 


201  Argentine 

366  Flint 

395  Grand  Blanc 

699  Mundy 

224  Vienna 
1,012 
693 
506 

442  HILLSDALE  COUNTY. 


434 
1,288 
691 
234 
107 

Total,  2,754 


108    Adams 
427    Allen 
223     Fayette 
Florida 


Total,  5,296     Litchfield 
Moscow 
CHIPPEWA  COUNTY.  Pittsford 


St.  Marie 


Reading 


366    Scipio 

Somerset 

Total,  366     Wheatland 


279 
353 

685 

156 

314 

496 

550 

277 

469 

441 

729 


CLINTON  COUNTY. 


Total,  4,729 


Dewitt 
Watertown 


INGHAM  COUNTY. 

Aurelius 

Ingham 

Total,  529  Stockbridge 


EATON  COUNTY. 


Bellevue 
Eaton 
Vermont  ville 


438 

330    Ionia 

145     Maple 


Total,  913 


Total,  822 

IONIA  COUNTY. 

511 
517 

Total,  1,028 


't. 


,>    ' 


302 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 

Bristol 

Concord 

Iladley 
La  Peer 

East  Portage 

Lomond 

Grass  Lake 

Beckfield 

Hanover 

Jackson 

Leoni 

Total,  2,602 

Liberty- 

LENAWEE 

COUNTY. 

Napoleon 

Parma 
Rives 

Blissfield 
Cambridge 

559 
523 

680 
203 
989 

Sandstone 

Dover 

Spring  Arbor 

Fairfield 

West  Portage 

Franklin 

Hudson 

Tota 

I,  8,702 

Lenawee 

1,151 

KALAMAZOC 

)  COUNTY. 

Logan 

1,962 

Brady 

1,292 

Macon 
Medina 

1,111 

420 

Comstock 

1,383 

Ogden 

198 

Cooper 
Kalamazoo 

386 

Palmyra 

898 

1,373 

Raisin 

1,076 

Pavilion 

548 

Rollin 

508 
826 
431 

Prairie  Ronde 

665 

Rome 

Richland 

720 

Seneca 

- 

Tecumseh 

2,414 

Total, 

6,367 

Woodstock 

541 

KENT  COUNTY. 

■ 

Byron 

362 

Total,  14,540 

Kent 

Total, 

1,660 

LIVINGSTON 

Byron 

COUNTY. 

2,022 

317 

Deerfield 

369 

LA  PEER  COUNTY 

• 

Genoa 

361 

Green  Oak 
A^^^  Hamburg 


1,4 


.50 


490 


)tal,  2,602 

559 
523 

680 
203 
989 

1,151 
1,962 
1,111 
420 
198 
898 
1,076 
508 
826 
431 
2,414 
541 

14,540 


TY. 


3ir 

369 

361 

1,435 

490 


Hartland 

Howell 

Marion 

Putnam 

Unadilla 


POPULATION. 

404    La  Salle 
442    London 
202    Milan 
367    Monroe 
642    Raisinville 
Summerfield 


Total,  5,029    Whiteford 


305 

826 
456 
270 

2,795 
614 

1,128 
257 


MACKINAW  COUNTY. 

Holmes  664 


Total,  10,646 

OAKLAND   COUNTY. 


Total,  664 


MACOMB  COUNTY. 


Armada 

Bruce 

Clinton 

Harrison 

Hiclcory 

Jeiferson 

Lenox 

Macomb 

Orange 

Bay 

Shelby 

Washington 


1,001 
889 
1,193 
502 
249 
523 
234 
736 
297 
786 
1,153 
1,329 


Total,  8,892 


MONROE  COUNTY. 


Ash 

Bedford 
Erie 
Exeter 
French  town 
Ida 


1,011 
431 
999 
156 
1,503 
200 


Addison 

Avon 

Bloomfield 

Brandon 

Commerce 

Farmington 

Groveland 

Highland 

Independence 

Lyon 

Milford 

Novi 

Oakland 

Orion 

Oxford 

Pontiac 

Rose 

Royal  Oak 

Sonthfieid 

Springfield 

Troy 

Waterford 
West  Bloomfield 
White  Lake 


343 

1,289 

1,485 
263 
747 

1,724 
664 
440 
668 

1,051 
667 

1,335 
803 
593 
384 

1,700 

202 
825 
956 
403 
1,439 

828 
1,004 

363 


Total,  20,176. 


i 


m 


fr 


r     H  s 


s- 


ftTI 


304 

HISTORY   OF   MICHIGAN. 

0T'r.AWA  COUNTY.  Florence 

— Flowcrfield 

Total,  628    Leonidas 

Mottville 
SAGINAW   COUNTY.  Nottawa 

«„„•  Sherman 

Sagmaw  ^^^     White  P,geon 


419 
406 
374 
497 
7J3 
1,043 
872 


Total,  920 

SHIAWASSEE    COUNTY. 

Burns 
Owasso 
Shiawassee 
Vernon 


Total,  (5,337 

VAN  BUREN    COUNTY. 


Antwerp 
Clinch 
Covington 
Decatur 

-„      La  Fayette 

J'otal,  1,184     Lawrence 

South  Haven 

ST.    CLAIR    COUNTY. 


232 
108 
183 
224 
248 
202 
65 


China 

Clay 

Clyde 

Columbus 

Cottrelville 
Ira 

Lexington 
Port  Huron 
St.  Clair 


603 
394 
339 

85     Ann  Arbor 
520    Augusta 
202    Bridgewatcr 
205     Dexter 
824    Freedom 
501     Lima 
Lodi 
Total,  3,673     Lyndon 

Mancliester 
sr.  JOSEPH  COUNTY.  Northfield 

^'f  ^  782    Salem 

P^'''"      .  368    Saline 

Constantnie  §43    g^.^ 


Total,  1,262 

WASHTENAW    COUNTY. 


2,994 
559 
923 
596 
795 
895 

1,003 


805 
793 
1,208 
1,354 
1,130 
1,412 


440 

m] 

374 

497 

713 

1,043 

872 


233 
108 
183 
224 

248 

202 

65 


2,994 
559 
923 
596 
795 
895 
1,063 
361 
805 
793 
1,208 
1,354 
1,130 
1,412 


Sharon 

Superior 

Sylvan 

York 

Ypsilanti 

Webster 


WAYNE    COUNTY 


Brownstown 
Canton 

Dearborn 
Detroit 


POPULATION. 

782    Ecorce 
1,378     Greenfield 
480    Hamtramch 
1,197    Huron 
2,280    Livonia 
832    Morjo-uagon 

~- Nankin 

Total,  21,817     Plymouth 
Red  ford 
Romulus 
Springwclls 
846     Van  Buren 
1,050 
1,317 
8,273 


COLORED    POPULATION. 


Calhoun  County 
Chippewa 
Mackinaw 
St.  Joseph 
Washtenaw 


24 
3 
I 

4 
62 


Wayne 
Jackson 
Monroe 
Oakland 


INDIANS    TAXED, 


Cass  County 
Chippewa 

Genessee 


24 
1 
2 


Allegan 

Barry 

Berrien 

Branch 

^'alhoun 

Cass 


Total,  27 

TOTAL    WHITE    POPULATION. 

1,469 
512 

4,863 


4,016 
7,960 
5,296 


39 


Chippewa 

Clinton 

Eaton 

Genessee 

Hillsdale 

liigham 


305 

709 
897 
1,772 
481 
1,076 
404 
1,160 
2,246 
1,021 
•^89 
990 
799 

Total,  23,400 


228 

9 

35 

13 


Total,  379 


366 

529 

913 

2,754 

4,729 

822 


Pr 


I'  ■!  I 


'   II 


306 


HISTORY    OF    MICHIGAN. 


",'  f 


P     i  ' 

■      A' 


Ionia 

1,023 

Oakland 

20,163 

Jackson 

8,693 

Ottawa 

628 

Kalamazoo 

6,367 

Saginaw 

920 

Kent 

2,022 

Shiawassee 

1,184 

La  Peer 

2,602 

St.  Clair 

3,673 

Lenawee 

14,540 

St.  Joseph 

6,337 

Livinofston 

5,029 

Van  Buren 

1,262 

Mackinaw 

664 

Washtenaw 

21,817 

Macomb 

8,892 

Wayne 

23,400 

Monroe 

10,611 

Total  white  population. 

174,369 

Colored  population, 

379 

Indians  taxed, 

27 

Add  for  two  townships  not  returned,  say 

423 

Population,  exclusive  of  Indians  not  taxed 


175,000 


The  other  class  of  people  in  Michigan  are  the  Indians  ;  and 
they  consist,  for  the  most  part,  of  mutilated  fragments  of  tribes, 
which  war  and  civilization  have  spared  from  the  general  de- 
clension of  their  race.  They  are  comprised  chiefly  of  the 
Ottawas,  the  Wyandots,  the  Potawatamies,  the  Menommies, 
and  the  Chippewas.  The  origin  of  this  singnlar  race  has 
been  the  subject  of  voluminous  discussion,  but  no  certain  con- 
clusion  has  been  yet  established.  The  better  opinion  seems  to 
be,  that  they  are  of  Chinese  or  Tartar  stock,  and  that  they 
passed  over  to  America  from  the  peninsular  portion  of  Kam- 
schatka  across  Bhering's  Strait.  This  is  confirmed  by  a  simi- 
larity in  language,  mode  of  wearing  the  hair,  and  certain  cus- 
toms, between  the  savages  of  Asia  and  America.  The  sava- 
ges are  scattered  throughout  this  wilderness  in  rude  huts  made 
of  bark,  and  attached  to  poles,  which  are  stuck  in  the  ground 
for  support.  During  the  early  periods  of  the  country,  before 
European  manufactures  were  introduced,  they  dressed  entire- 
ly from  ihe  skins  of  wild  beasts, — the  bear,  the  elk,  the  deer,  or 
the  buffalo,  wrought  with  colored  porcupines'  quills,  and  tan- 
ned into  considerable  pliancy  and  neatness.  Their  shoes  or  moc- 
casins were  made  from  buffalo  or  deer  skins,  sometimes  formed 
with  the  hair  inside.     Their  ornaments  were  curiously  cut  out 


i 


111- 


20,163 

628 

920 

1,181 

3,673 

6,337 

1,262 

21.S17 

23,400 


THE    INDIANS. 


307 


171,360 

379 

27 

425 


175,000 

ians  ;  and 
s  of  tribes, 
3neral  de- 
iy  of  the 
iiommies, 
race  has 
rtain  coti- 
1  seems  to 
that  they 
of  Kam- 
iy  a  simi- 
rtain  cus- 
^he  sava- 
ints  made 
le  ground 
ry,  before 
;ed  entire- 
le  deer,  or 
,  and  tan- 
5s  or  moc- 
es  formed 
ly  cut  out 


from  shells  into  beads,  which  were  called  wampum,  and  worn 
about  their  necks  and  suspended  from  their  ears.  The  most 
distinguished  warriors  wore  necklaces  of  bears'  claws,  and 
upon  their  heads  the  plumes  of  the  war  eagle.  They  adorned 
their  hair  with  ornamented  skins,  and  wore  copper  upon  their 
breasts.  Their  weapons  of  war  were  hatchets  and  daggers 
of  stone,  and  wooden  war-clubs  and  bows  made  from  the 
trees,  and  arrows  barbed  with  flint.  Pipes  of  clay  or  redstone 
were  used  both  as  a  luxury  and  as  symbols  of  peace.  Tlioy 
navigated  the  streams  in  canoes  of  bark  ;  and  their  domestic 
utensils  were  of  the  rudest  form.  Their  food  consisted  of 
corn,  which  they  cultivated,  wild  rice,  fish,  and  the  flesh  of 
beasts. 

Since  the  advancement  of  the  whites,  they  have  preserved 

the  same  general  garb,  but  use  a  different  material.     They 

clothe  themselves  with  blankets  enclosed  with  a  woolen  or 

leathern  girdle,  in  which  is  stuck  a  steel  scalping  knife  or  a 

tobacco  pouch  ;  leggins  of  red  or  blue  cloth  reach  from  the 

ancle  above  the  knee,  so  as  to  leave  the  thigh  bare.      They 

have  substituted  the  rifle  and  the  steel  tomahawk  for  the  bow 

and  the  stone  hatchet,  and  silver  or  tin  ornaments  for  those  of 

stone,  shells,  or  copper  ;  but  in  all  their  essential  habits  they 

are  the  same  as  when  Jacques  Cartier  first  ascended  the  St. 

Lawrence.  The  squaws  generally  wear  blankets  like  the  men  ; 

and  leggins  and  moccasins,  adorned  with  beads  or  porcupines' 

quills  ;  but  the  whole  of  their  persons  are  generally  covered, 

with  the  exception  of  the  head,  upon  which  they  wear  hats! 

Their  hair,  which  is  smooth  and  glossy,  is  worn  combed  be- 

Iiind  their  ears.     They  often  wear  a  calico  frock  inside  of  the 

blanket,  which  is  covered  upon  the  breast  with  silver  broaches, 

or  thin  plates  of  the  same  metal  in  a  circular  or  crescent  form! 

Some  of  these  medals  are  given  to  the  chiefsboth  by  the  British 

and  American  Governments.     These  people  are  similar  in 

their  general  traits  to  the  savages  of  the  other  sections  of  the 

United  States. 

It  would  seem  that  the  tribes  of  this  region  had  accustomed 
themselves  to  migrations  from  remote  points  in  the  forest,  and 
these  migrations  have  been  pretty  accurately  traced.     In  the 


III' 


308 


HISTORY    OB'    MIC  ilGAN. 


fl 


year  16 10,  when  the  Alj^onquiii  nations  of  the  Ottawa  River 
were  nearly  destroyed  by  the  Iroquois,  a  portion  of  the  Otta- 
was  of  tiiat  river,  as  well  as  a  part  of  those  who  lived  on  the 
western  shores  of  Lake  Huron,  accompanied  by  five  hundred 
Hurons,  constituting  in  all  about  one  thousand,  removed  to 
the  south-western  shore  of  Lake  Superior ;  and  in  1071  the 
Potawatamies  were  settled  on  the  island  called  Noquet,  near 
the  entrance  of  Green  Bay.  Forty  years  afterwards  this  last 
tribe  migrated  to  Chicago,  and  the  river  St.  Joseph  upon  the 
southern  bank  of  Lake  Michigan  ;  occupying  those  lands 
which  had  before  been  held  by  the  Miamis  in  1670.  About 
the  year  1671,  the  Ottawas  of  Lake  Superior  had  removed  to 
the  vicinity  of  Michilimackinac,  and  finally  retired  to  their 
ancient  hunting-grounds  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Huron,  send- 
ing back  word  to  the  Miamies  that  they  were  "  tired  offish  and 
must  have  meat."  In  the  year  1721  the  Missisagies,  according 
to  Charlevoix,  had  villages  near  the  outlet  of  Lake  Ontario, 
and  also  near  Niagara  and  Detroit.  Until  within  a  recent 
date,  the  Ottawas  occupied  a  considerable  portion  of  the  penin- 
la  of  Michigan  north  and  west  of  the  Potawatamies :  and  the 
Chippewas  are  situated  chiefly  around  Lake  Superior.  On  the 
dispersion  of  the  Algonquin  tribes  upon  the  river  Ottawa  in  the 
middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  apart  sought  protection  from 
the  French,  and  reside  in  Lower  Canada  ;  and  the  Nepissings 
and  other  tribes  escaped  to  Michilimackinac,  the  Falls  of  St. 
Marie,  and  the  northern  shores  of  Lake  Superior.  About  the 
year  1800  a  considerable  portion  of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan 
was  occupied  by  the  Ottawas  ;  and  the  Potawatamies  held  that 
portion  of  territory  upon  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  ;the  Wy- 
andots  occupied  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Huron,  and  the 
Chippewas  the  southern  bank  of  Lake  Superior.* 

The  character  of  the  savages  is  made  up  of  mixed  traits 
of  good  and  evil.  They  are  barbarians,  and  can  never  ap- 
preciate the  advantages  of  civilization.     In  their  customs, 


*  See  Synopsis  of  the  Indian  Tribes  of  North  America,  by  the  Hon.  Albert 
Gnillatin,  published  in  the  second  volume  of  the  collections,  of  the  American  An- 
tiquarian Socinty. 


THE    INDIANS. 


309 


iwa  River 

the  Otta- 
id  on  the 
!  hundred 
moved  to 

1071  the 
juet,  near 
sthis  last 

upon  the 
ose  liuids 
I.  About 
moved  to 
d  to  their 
ron,  send- 
>f  fish  and 
according 
!  Ontario, 

a  recent 
;he  penin- 
:  and  the 
>r.  On  the 
iwa  in  the 
jtion  from 
fepissings 
ills  of  St, 
ibout  the 
Michigan 

held  that 
;  the  Wy- 

and  the 

:ed  traits 
lever  ap- 
customs, 


Ion.  Albert 
lerican  An- 


tJieir  feasts,  their  wars,  tlieir  dress,  and  their  amusements, 
they  resemble  the  savages  of  other  nations,  although  they  are 
of  more  elevated  caste.  Their  minds  do  not  grasp  great  con 
sequences,  and  they  are  deficient  in  the  power  of  reasoning. 
In  their  enterprises  they  seldom  overstep  a  prescribed  circle 
of  action  ;  for  their  future  state,  they  never  look  beyond  the 
western  sky.     All  those  qualities  which  are  founded  in  in- 
stinct and  habit  they  possess  in  a  high  degree,  and  but  few 
of  the  higher  qualities  of  intellect.     Their  oratorical  efforts 
are  impassioned  and  figurative,  but  seldom  contain  arguments. 
The  ideas  which  are  expressed  in  these  efforts  are  founded  in 
obvious  suggestions,  and  entirely  fail  in  close  logic.     Their 
vanity  exceeds   that  of  most  savage  nations  ;  anJ  il  is  this 
which  induces    them    to  paint  their  faces,    to  cover  their 
heads  with  feathers,  and  adorn  their  bodies  with  gewgaws. 
To  their  friends  they  are  generous,  and  will  share  with  them 
the  laj:!   morsel  of  venison  and  the  shelter  of  their  lodge. 
Their  enemies  they  will  fliwn  upon   and  flatter,  only   to 
watch  the  time  for  their  destruction.     As  a  general  fact,   it 
will  not  be  established  that  they  are  brave  in  battle.     They 
rather  prefer  to  delude  by  hypocritical  assurances  of  friend- 
ship, and  to  surprise  like  assassins.     With  the  exception  of 
the  Iroquois,  the  history  of  the  north-west  fiirnishes  but  few 
instances  of  honorable  and  open  Indian  combat.     Pontiac,  in 
1763,  devised  the  destruction  of  the  English  forts  by  a  rank 
and  fraudulent  deception;  and  the  Prophet,  iii  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe,  practised  a  miserable  stratagem,  which  would 
rank  him  not  much  above  a  murderer.     Their  rules  of  war 
are  base  and  disgusting  when  tested  by  the  code  of  civilized 
nations.     They  will  scalp  an  unarmed  and  fallen  enemy,  a 
woman  or  an  iufuat;  torture  them  and  drmk  their  blood,  or 
eat  their  flesh.     Individual  instances  of  signal  sfenius  have 
been  exhibited  ;  and  the  character  of  Garangula,  Pontiac, 
Brant,  and  Tecumseh,  stands  out,  among  merely  barbarian 
connnunitics,  for  courage  and  eloiiuence,  when  adjudged  by 
barbarian  standards.     If  they  have  exhibited  occasional  suc- 
cess, it  has  been  generally  when  they  could  escape  dauijer 
by  standing  behind  trees  and  shooting  their  enemies.     Their 


i^ 


* 


i 
1 

1 

'5 

i 

310 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


manliness  is  exhibited  by  binding  upon  the  women  burdens 
which  belong  to  the  stronger  sex.  Combinedwith  this  is  a 
lofty  bearing,  which  impresses  us  witii  a  sense  of  respect  ra- 
tlier  than  disgust  at  their  presence,  which  would  ari.se  in  the 
absence  of  that  quality. 

A  stoic  in  his  temperament,  the  north-western  savage  seems 
to  be  a  fatalist,  and  will  look  with  the  same  composure  on 
success  or  misfortune ;  he  is  contented  to  remain  in  the  woods, 
and  to  gain  a  scanty  subsistence  from  the  forest ;  or  when  that 
is  wanting,  owing  to  his  indolence,  he  kills  and  consumes  his 
horses  or  dogs.  As  civilization  advances,  the  means  of  his 
subsistence  diminish.  There  are  many  examples  of  Indian 
gratitude  and  humanity  which  relieve  this  dark  picture ;  and 
he  is  honest  and  true  to  his  word.  We  do  not  blame  him 
for  what  he  is,  because  the  savage  is  ingrained  in  his  consti- 
tution ;  we  only  describe  what  he  seems  to  be. 

In  their  dispositions  the  Indians  of  the  lakes  are  peace- 
able, and  they  will  meet  you  in  the  forest  with  the  French 
words  of  salutation,  Bon  Jour.  During  the  early  spring 
they  retire  from  their  villages  to  what  are  called  Sugar  Camp?, 
where  they  manufacture  a  large  quantity  of  maple  sugar,  and 
collect  it  in  mococks  of  bark  ;  either  for  their  own  consump- 
tion, or  for  sale  at  the  settlements  of  the  whites,  in  exchange 
for  head  trinkets,  cloths,  or  intoxicating  liquors.  The  furs 
which  they  may  have  collected  at  such  times  are  sold  for  the 
same  articles.  It  is  useless  to  remark  that  intoxication  is  their 
besetting  sin  when  the  means  are  obtained. 

This  singular  race  will  long  remain  an  enigma  to  the  mind. 
Unchanged  in  their  habits  and  opinions,  they  have  defied 
the  efforts  of  civilization  to  improve  their  condition.  What- 
ever may  be  the  soundness  of  the  logic  which  claims  that 
civilization  had  a  right  to  this  soil  because  it  was  uncultiva- 
ted and  occupied  by  savages,  an  argument  which  would  wrest 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  world  from  the  hand  of  its  pre- 
sent possessors  ;  it  is  clear  that  the  Indians  have  been  defraud- 
ed less  by  government  than  by  individuals.  The  enactment  of 
the  United  States,  which  declares  that  their  land  shall  not  be 
taken  without  their  consent,  is  founded  in  justice ;  but  improper 


THE    INDIANS. 


311 


influence  lins  doubtless  been  exercised  by  individuals  to  in- 
duce them  to  sell  their  lands.  Many  will  soon  retire  west  o*" 
the  Mississippi ;  and  as  the  plongh-share  is  driven  over  their 
hunting-grounds,  cities  are  built  on  the  site  of  their  ancient 
camps  ;  and  civilization  digs  up  the  bones  of  their  forefathers 
in  order  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  canal  or  rail-road,  dissipa. 
ting  their  fading  memorials  like  ghosts  at  the  rising  sun  ;  it 
should  be  our  most  cherished  consciousness,  that,  as  a  nation, 
we  have  acted  in  justice,  and  softened  the  pangs  of  their  mis- 
fortunes. 


INDIAN  POPULATION  OP  MICHIGAN  IN  1837. 


and 


HESIDBNCG. 


Monroe  County,  estimate 

MQcomb      do.  Do. 

St.  Clair      do.  Do 

Valley  of  the  Soginaw,        Do. 


Valley  of  Grand  River,  Pay  rolls  of  1837,  945 
Maskigo  River, 


TRIBE,  OR  BAND. 

Wyandots, 

Chippewas  of  Swan  Creek, 
Chippewas  of  Black  River, 
Chippewas  of  Saginaw, 
Ottawas  of  Grand  River, 

Ottawas  of  Maskigo, 

Ottawaa  &  Chippewas  of  White  Ri- East   Coast   of  Lake 

Michigan, 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do, 
Do, 
Do. 
Do. 
Little  Traverse  Bay, 
S.  coast  of  Lake  Huron 

Do, 
Lake  Michigan, 


POPULATION. 


60 
ISO 
230 
800 


ver, 

Do.      do.  Pierre  Marquette  R 
Chippewas  of  Manistee, 

Do,      of  Osigomico, 

Do.      of  Carp  River, 

Do.      of  Grand  Traverse  Bay, 
Ottawas  of  Little  Traverse  Bay, 

Do.  Village  of  the  Cross, 

Do.  L'Mre  Croche, 
Ottawas  of  Cheboigon, 
Chippewas  of  Thunder  Bay, 
Chippewas  of  the  Beaver  Islands, 
Chippewas  &  Ottawas  of  Drummond 

Island,  Lake  Huron, 

Chippewas  of  the  Chenoux,  N.  coast  Lake  Huron, 

Do.  bands  of  Ance&Missutigo  Do.  (straits  of  Michili 

mackinac) 
Do.  of  North  Manistee, 
Do.  of  Little  Bay  de  Nocquet, 
Do.  Shawonegeezhig's  band, 
Do.  Esconabee  River, 
Do.  of  Chocolate  River, 
Do.  of  Grand  Island, 
Do.  of  Tacquimcnon  River, 


Do. 

N.  end  of  Green  Bay, 

Do. 

Do. 

S.  East  Lake  Superior, 

Do.      Do. 

Do.      Do. 


Do, 

Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Dob 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do, 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 

Do, 
Do. 

Do. 
Do. 

Do: 
Do. 
Do. 
Do, 
Do. 
Do. 


87 

142 
63 
33 

8 

103 
292 
249 
305 
426 
102 
103 
105 

61 
56 

104 

83 
76 
86 
88 
75 
53 
Gl 


!l;lil 


312 


HiarORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


TRinc,  OR  Band.  residkncl.  POPirtATioM. 

Chippcwas  ofSault  St.  Mario,  Straits  ofSt.  Mary.  Pay  rollsof  1837,  152 
Chippewas  &  Uttawas  oflho  Islands 

orUoig-blanc&  Mackinaw,           Lake  Huron,  Do.  69 

Ottawas  south  or  Grand  Uivor,          E.  coast  Lake  Michigan    estirnato  200 

Potawatamies  of  the  St.  Joseph's,  Do.  Do.  150 
Monomonies  N.  of  Monomonee  Ri- 

*'''>  Green  Bay,  Do.  90 
Chippewas  of  Upper  Michigan,  west 

of  Chocolate  Uivui,                      Lake  Superior,  Do.  2,200* 

The  policy  of  the  government,  it  is  well  known,  has  been 
exercised  to  remove  the  savages  of  the  country  to  the  west  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Indians  of 
Michigan  have  consented  to  this  removal.  It  is  not  improba- 
ble that  the  number  has  been  already  much  diminished  by 
emigration.  Indeed,  we  witnessed,  during  the  last  year,  a 
large  encampment  on  the  banks  of  the  Detroit  River,  who 
were  understood  to  be  making  arrangements  for  that  object. 

•  For  this  census  I  am  indebted  to  tho  kindness  of  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft, 
Esq.,  Indian  Agent  for  the  United  States. 


'    ». 


N'  'H 


m 


soo 

180 
00 


2,200* 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

"Zn'J  ^"Tr  "'"  "'n,.^^"'"'  ^^?!'""'y-    '«  ^"•"  -ercial  advantage8-Ohio-In- 
oiMicliigan— future  prospucls  of  ih      ■     „.. 

Michigan,  as  a  prominent  State  of  the  north-west,  opens 
a  brilliant  prospect  of  future  opulence  and  power.    Adjoining 
a  territory  of  remarkable  extent  and  resources,  its  future  pro*^ 
gress  must  depend  not  only  upon  its  own  local  enterprize  and 
means,  but  also  upon  the  indncements  which  that  territory 
holds  out  to  immigration  and  settlement  from  other  parts  of 
the  United  States,  as  well  as  from  abroad.     At  the  thresh- 
•  hold,  we  are  forcibly  struck  with  the  physical  features  of 
what  may  be  denominated  the  lake  region  of  the  country.    Un- 
like most  of  the  older  States  of  the  east,  which  spread  out 
their  rugged  and  sometimes  mountainous  scenery,  abounding 
with  the  luxuries  of  civilization,  their  cultivated  fields,  cities, 
villages,  farm-houses,  and  monuments,  broken  only  by  limited 
groves  of  primeval  forest,  which  remain  as  the  solitary  reliques 
of  the  departed  wilderness,  we  feel,  in  advancing  to  that  region, 
as  if  we  were  entering  more  directly  the  dominion  of  nature. 
While  the  arts  of  civilization,  in  the  older  sections  of  the  coun- 
try, have  moulded  almost  the  entire  face  of  nature  to  their 
own  ends,  the  domain  of  the  north-west  seems  to  have  been 
but  partially  invaded.    While  man  has  been  ranging  almost 
every  other  part  of  the  globe,  building  up  and  demolishing 
empires,  this  domain  seems  to  have  been  reserved  from  his 
his  dominion.    It  seems  as  if  the  veil  which  enveloped  it  had 
been  but  recently  drawn  aside,  and  disclosed  to  view,  as  the 
last  theatre  of  human  action,  a  gigantic  scene  of  %voods  and 
waters,  fresh,  silent,  solitary,  magnificent. 

40 


i 


'¥ 


iX 


n-  • 


314 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


1;  .  Si. 


■    ill 


J    !     I 


Aloiiir  the  courses  of  the  rivers  is  generally  found  a  l)elt  of 
gloomy  forest,  varying  in  width  ;  where  the  trees,  close  toge- 
ther and  of  large  size,  send  up  their  shafts  high  into  the  air, 
and  interlock  their  branches  so  as  to  shut  out  the  sun  from 
the  damp  and  deep  vegetable  matter  which  moulders  in  the 
twilight  around  their  trunks.  As  you  advance  across  these 
belts  into  the  interior,  extensive  tracts  of  groves  expand  be- 
fore the  eye,  on  an  undulating  surface  ;  sometimes  broken 
by  a  prairie,  which  appears  like  a  lake,  studded  occasionally 
with  wooded  islands,  and  surrounded  by  forest  shores.  These 
prairies,  composed  of  a  rich  and  deep  vegetable  mould,  often  ex- 
tend as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  ;  and  through  a  distant  avenue, 
resembling  a  strait  made  by  the  wilderness,  another  prairie 
may  be  often  seen,  stretched  out  in  an  irregular  form.  Groves 
of  burr-oak,  resembling  orchards,  may  be  descried  ;  and  now 
a  swamp,  where  the  inire  is  so  deep  as  to  render  it  impervious, 
opposes  a  formidable  obstacle  to  the  traveller.  Sometimes 
the  prospect  is  bounded  by  wide  tracts  called  barrens,  afford- 
ing a  stinted  growth  of  trees  and  a  tolerable  soil,  but  stretch- 
ing along  hillock  and  dale  in  beautiful  undulation. 

The  navigable  advantages  of  this  region  are  scarcely  ex- 
ceeded by  its  agricultural  resources.  Besides  numerous 
small  streams  which  afford  inland  navigation,  water-power, 
and  channels  for  rafts  and  flat  boats,  the  Ohio  waters  a  va- 
luable portion  of  the  north-west.  The  Mississippi,  taking  its 
rise  in  the  remote  north,  and  receiving  as  tributaries  several 
large  riA'^ers,  fertilizes  nearly  three  thousand  miles  of  country 
in  its  progress  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  and  the  great  lakes, 
Erie,  Huron,  Michigan,  and  Superior,  constituting  much  the 
largest  body  of  fresh  water  on  the  globe,  watering  the  shores 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  lUinois,  and  Wisconsin,  and  giving  to 
Michigan  a  longer  line  of  coast  than  any  other  State  in  the 
Union,  seek  the  ocean  through  the  St.  Lawrence. 

The  State  of  Ohio,  containing  a  population  of  more  than 
fifteen  hundred  thousand,  has,  from  its  age  and  proximity  to 
the  east,  become  already  more  densely  settled  than  any  other 
portion  of  this  territory.  Such  a  measure  of  physical  strength 
acting  on  the  soil,  must  have  made  vast  inroads  upon  the 


'I 

i.       , 


J 


ITS    PROSPECTS. 


d  a  l)elt  of 
close  loge- 
ito  the  air, 
;  sun  from 
[ers  in  the 
ross  these 
xpaiid  be- 
les  broken 
jcasionally 
;s.  These 
d,  often  ex- 
nt  avenue, 
ler  prairie 
1.  Groves 
;  and  now 
Tipervious, 
Sometimes 
ins,  aflford- 
ut  stretch- 

larcely  ex- 
numerous 
iter-power, 
iters  a  va- 
taking-  its 
ies  several 
)f  country 
reat  lakes, 
much  the 
the  shores 
giving  to 
tate  in  the 

more  than 

oximity  to 

any  other 

III  strength 

upon  the 


315 


wilderness  ;  and,  accordingly  vve  find  in  that  a  greater  mea 
7i:   -^P-vement  than  u.  any  other  of  the  nfrth-lTem 
States     Here    wider  clearings  have  been  made.    Broader 
harvests  gUd  the  fields,  which  are  spread  out  below;  soli  a'; 
rees,  whose  massive  trunks  spring  from  the  vegetable  mould 
t  wards  the  heavens   «  hke  the  lone  columns  of  a  fallen Tm 
pie,"  which  the  axe  of  the  emigrant  has  destroyed.     mZ 
frequent  herds  of  cattle,  with  tinkling  bells  to  show  Teir 
ranging  grounds,  rove  the  natural  pastures  of  the  wilderness 
within  sight  of  the  smoke  which  curls  from  the  lo.-house  h 
he  forest.     Roads  are  more  beaten  ;  and  the  silence  of  th 
streams  is  more  often  broken  by  the  voice  of  the  boatman  or 
the  hoarse  puff  of  the  steamboat  as  it  shoots  along  ui  SnJ 
banks  crowned  with  forest,  loaded  with  freight  for  Cine  mnti 

ngastuidy  frame  of  enterprise,  acting  on  a  bountiful  soil 
w  iich  only  requires  age  and  industry  fo  mould  i^^ 
into  luxury  and  refinement.  i"i"«-u 

Indiana  soon  opens  to  view,  with  its  broad  and  fertile 
plains ;  exhibiting  less  improvement  than  Ohio,  but  iiihab  ted 
by  an  agricultural  class  of  population,  amounting  tosix  h  n 
dred  thousand,  who  are  content  to  live  in  their  comfortable 
viHages  aiid  farm-houses  in  comparative  indolenceTrot 
mg  that  the  seed  which  is  thrown  broad  cast  up^n  theL 
ploughed  oak-  ands  and  savannas,  will  yield  them  bounties 
returns  ;  intelligent,  cheerful,  and  independent 

Michigan*  soon  appears  in  sight,  with  its  picturesque  land- 
s  apes  and  lakes,  Us  parks  of  oak-lands  and  flowery  glades 
1  his  may  b3  properly  termed  the  Lake  State  ;  for  it  iZe 
lakes  wash  Its  shores,  giving  rise  to  the  Indian  origin  of  the 
name,  and  its  whole  domain  is  studded  with  litrie  crystal 
P^ds,  which  are  set  like  gems  in  the  soil  to  beautifyihe 

Then  comes  Illinois,  with  its  wide  prairies  ready  for  the 
plough,  where  the  mould  varies  from  one  to  five  fL  deep ; 

^^■j^  See  Gazetteer  of  Michigan,  containing  a  valuable  collection  of  statistical 


!pl 


II        ;<:' 


n\i 


316 


HISTORY   OP    MICHIGAN. 


which  in  summer  are  covered  with  gorgeous  flowers  ;  and  as 
winter  approaches,  present  the  aspect  of  black  and  cheerless 
plains,  from  the  auumnal  fires  which  sweep  over  this  region. 
^  Here  the  prairies,  which  in  Michigan  seem  like  small  ponds, 
stretch  into  a  form  which  may  be  compared  to  chains  of  seas  ; 
with  their  indentations,  bays,  bends,  timbered  islands,  and 
straits,  all  bounded  by  forest  shores.  And  the  inducements 
which  are  here  held  out  for  settlement  have  not  been  offered 
in  vain  ;  for,  although  of  recent  growth,  the  emigrants  who 
occupy  its  rich  fields,  and  the  wood-lands  which  fringe  its 
streams,  amount,  together  with  Michigan,  to  about  seven 
hundred  thousand. 

At  last  the  territory  of  Wisconsin,  containing  a  population  of 
more  than  nineteen  thousand  ;  a  hilly  region,  abounding  with 
water-power  and  mineral  wealth,  washed  by  Lake  Michigan 
and  the  upper  Mississippi,  sweeps  forward  among  the  sister 
States,  like  a  young  maiden  in  green  and  flowing  robes,  to 
win  the  emigrant  to  her  home. 

The  great  lakes  are  the  prominent  feature  of  the  north- 
west and  of  the  country.  Stretching  from  the  State  of  New- 
York  beyond  the  extreme  north-western  boundaries  of  Michi- 
gan, they  will  soon  furnish  a  continuous  line  of  navigation 
from  the  remotest  shores  of  Lake  Superior  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexi- 
co through  the  Mississippi,  and  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  through 
the  St.  Lawrence.  Nor  is  the  scenery  of  the  lakes  less  remark- 
able than  their  commercial  advantages.  In  advancing  from 
New- York  through  Lake  Erie,  Pennsylvania  bounds  a  part  of 
its  southern  shore,  and  exhibits  the  ttu'iving  settlement  of  Erie, 
her  only  port  on  that  lake  ;  and  further  onward,  Ohio  is  met 
on  the  same  line,  with  its  heavily  tnnbcred  banks.  Cleave- 
land,  a  flourishing  city,  soon  appears,  showing  in  its  new  but 
muscular  aspect  the  evidence  of  a  vigorous  cnterprize  ;  and 
a  little  onward,  the  village  of  Sandusky  heaves  in  sight.  In 
approaching  its  western  shore,  between  the  wooded  islands 
which  dot  that  part  of  the  lake,  the  land  appears  more  low, 
damp,  and  level.  In  advancing  towards  the  coast  of  Michi- 
gan, and  up  through  the  Detroit  River  and  the  transparent 
waters  of  the  Lake  and  River  St.  Clair,  a  new  aspect  of  things 


•s ;  and  as 

cheerless 
lis  region, 
all  ponds, 
IS  of  seas ; 
mds,  and 
lucements 
en  offered 
ants  who 
fringe  its 
)ut  seven 


)nlation  of 
ding  with 
Michigan 
the  sister 
f  robes,  to 

he  north- 
e  of  New- 
of  Michi- 
avigation 
f  of  Mexi- 
n  through 
is  reniark- 
cing  from 
s  a  part  of 
U  of  Erie, 
io  is  met 
Clcave- 
s  new  but 
rize  ;  and 
iight.  In 
;d  islands 


more  low, 
of  Michi- 
ansparent 
t  of  things 


ITS    PROSPECTS. 


317 


is  presented.    The  Michigan  shore  of  the  lake  exhibits  hea- 
vily timbered  forests,  indented  at  wide  distances  by  small  vil- 
lages, which  seem  to  fill  rp  the  entire  space  of  the  clearings 
which  are  made  in  the  forest ;  and  the  evidence  of  foreign 
influence  is  soon  seen  in  the  character  of  the  improvements. 
The  inlets  which  divide  the  stream  give  a  picturesque  cha- 
racter to  the  view ;  and  both  the  Canadian  and  American 
sides  of  the  Detroit  River,  the  Lake  and  River  St.  Clair,  exhi- 
bit the  little  cottages  of  the  old  French  peasantry,  construct- 
ed sometimes  of  planed  logs,  and  surrounded  by  orchards  of 
pear  and  apple  trees,  whose  seed  was  brought  from  the  pro- 
vinces of  France  during  the  age  of  Louis  XIV.    Behind 
these  orchards  are  narrow  fields  enclosed  with  pickets  ;  while 
here  and  there,  amid  the  continuous  settlement,  a  windmill 
is  seen;  or  a  little  chapel,  surmounted  by  the  cross,  evinces 
that  the  religion  of  the  class  of  French  settlers  is  Catholic. 
Indeed,  the  mixed  French  and  English  character  of  the  little 
villages    of  Maiden,  Sandwich,  and  Atnherstburgh  on  the 
British  side  of  the  strait,  the  silence  and  pastoral  quietude  of 
the  scene,  are  strongly  contrasted  with  the  activity,  as  well 
as  the  sturdy  and  substantial  form  of  architecture  which  pre- 
vails upon  the  American  bank.     The  comparative  growth  of 
the  two  sides  of  the  strait,  and  the  genius  of  the  two  govern- 
ments, are  shown  by  the  fact  that  while  Canada  presents  on 
this  line  only  a  few  small  settlements,  Detroit  has  advanced 
within  a  short  period  to  a  population  of  more  than  ten  thou- 
sand. 

At  the  head  of  the  river  St.  Clair,  Lake  Huron  spreads  it- 
self out  in  a  surface  as  clear  as  crystal,  bounded  on  the  north- 
ern coast  of  Michigan  by  thickly  timbered  and  uninhabited 
shores.  Lake  Michigan  expands  toward  the  south  with  bold 
banks  of  sand,  sloping  glades,  and  dense  forests  ;  disclosing  the 
cities  of  Green  Bay  and  Milwaukee  in  the  Wisconsin  territo- 
ry, and  Chicago  in  Illinois.  Last  of  all,  though  first  in  mag- 
nitude, Liike  Superior  stretches  itself  out  like  the  Atlantic. 
Navigated  only  by  the  bark  canoes  of  the  Indians,  or  the  tra- 
ders which  skulk  along  its  shores,  or  the  two  or  three  small 
vessels  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  or  the  American  Fur  Company, 


i 


i 


1/    ii 


318 


HISTORY   OP   MICHIGAN. 


which  have  appropriated  the  British  or  American  side  to 
the  Fur  trade,  seemingly  disdainful  of  civilization,  which  is 
subduing  the  adjoining  region,  and  bowing  to  none  but  God; 
It  sleeps  like  a  mirror,  or  heaves  and  dashes  its  surges  against 
nigged  and  rocky  shores,  which  are  almost  as  silent  and  so- 
htary  as  they  have  been  since  the  creation. 

The  causes  of  the  slow  progress  of  improvement  when  this 
rast  domain  was  under  the  French  domination,  are  obvious. 
They  are  founded  on  the  policy  of  the  French  Government 
and  the  character  of  the  people*'  It  has  been  seen  that  the 
French  colonists  were  wanting  in  energy  and  enterprise.  They 
were  laboring  under  a  political  servitude,  which,  if  the  genius 
of  the  people  had  been  active,  would  necessarily  have  cramp- 
ed their  operations.     The  policy  of  the  laws  prevented  settle- 
ment, and  the  colonists  were  devoted  to  the  employment  of 
seigneurs  in  the  pro.secution  of  the  Fur  trade.*      Without 
that  stability  and  perseverance  which  might  have  enabled 
them  to  become  substantial  tenants,  encouraging  settlement 
and  advancing  the  progress  of  agriculture,  their  enjoyments 
consisted  in  traversing  the  lakes,  in  shooting  the  buffaloes 
which  moved  along  the  shores  of  Michigan,  or  across  the 
vast  prairies  of  Illinois,  like  black  pirate  fleets  upon  the  ocean.f 
And  they  were  contented  with  their  lot ;  for  the  forests  swarm- 
ed with  game,  the  rivers  with  fish,  water-fowl  blackened  the 
crystal  shores  of  the  streams,  oi-  fed  in  the  sedgy  marshes 

♦  The  whole  system  of  operation  under  the  French  Government,  as  has  been 
before  seen,  was  smgular.  In  Michigan  the  accounts  were  itept  in  beaver  skins 
and  if  these  were  wanting,  other  furs  were  received  in  payment  for  goods  after 
havmg  been  reduced  to  their  vah.e  in  beaver  skins.  As  late  as  17G5  heaver  at 
Michihmackinac  was  two  shillings  and  sixpence  per  pound,  "  Mirhi'limackinac 
currency  ;"  otter  skins  were  six  shillings  each ;  marlin  was  one  shillin.^  and  six- 
pence ;  and  other  peltries  were  in  like  proportion.  The  prices  for  a  Stroud  blank- 
et were  ten  beaver  skins,  for  a  white  blanket  eight,  a  pound  of  powder  two  a 
pound  of  shot  or  of  ball  one,  a  gun  twenty,  a.i  axe  of  one  pound  wri"ht  two'  a 
knife  one.  Peltries  were  generally  used  as  a  circulating  medium  in  the  absence 
of  a  better  currency,  although  the  notes  and  coin  of  duebec  and  Montreal  some- 
times found  their  way  to  the  lake  ports.     See  Ilcnn/'s  Travels,  p.  195. 

t  The  buffalo  paths  are  now  seen  on  the  prairies  of  Illinois.'  They  formerly 
roamed  on  the  banks  of  the  Detroit  River,  but  have  since  been  driven  to  the 
plains  of  Missouri  and  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 


I 


pwp 


ITS   PROSPECTS. 


319 


in  side  to 
,  which  is 
but  God ; 
es  against 
It  and  so- 


when  this 
!  obvious, 
vernment 
I  that  the 
ise.  They 
he  genius 
ve  cramp- 
ted  settle- 
yrnent  of 

Without 
i  enabled 
settlement 
ijoyments 

buffaloes 
cross  the 
le  ocean. t 
:s  swarm- 
:ened  the 

marshes 


as  has  been 
3aver  skins, 
?oods,  after 
i,  lieavor,  at 
ilimackinac 
ng  and  six- 
'oud  blank- 
'der  two,  a 
ii;ht  two^  a 
he  absence 
Ireal  some- 
5. 

;y  formerly 
•en  to  tlie 


which  fringed  them,  and  the  wide  savannahs  of  this  region, 
and  the  clustering  grapes  which  hung  from  the  trees,  remind- 
ed them  of  the  champaign  districts  of  France,  from  which 
they  emigrated. 

The  same  general  causes  imp-^ded  the  growth  of  the  coun- 
try after  the  English  obtained  its  dominion.    It  was  then  held 
as  a  matter  of  conquest,  and  settlement  was  encouraged  only  so 
far  as  it  might  tend  to  support  the  military  establishments  which 
were  erected  for  its  defence.  Troops  were  quartered  on  the  coun- 
try to  defend  it  from  invasion,  and  individuals  were  prohibited 
from  purchasing  tracts  of  the  savages,  or  from  making  any  set- 
tlements, unless  by  the  permission  of  the  English  monarch.  Nor 
had  population  advanced  into  this  quarter  in  sufficient  strength 
to  stamp  their  influence  upon  the  country.     Accordingly  we 
find  that  there  are  but  few  vestiges  of  foreign  enterprise  in  that 
portion  of  the  territory  which  now  belongs  to  the  United  States. 
Even  after  the  treaty  of  1783,  which  ceded  the  north-west- 
ern territory  to  the  United  States,  and  liberal  cessions  had 
been  made  by  the  eastern  States  to  the  General  Government, 
the  country  remained  a  comparative  wilderness.     The  confe- 
deration of  the  Indians  upon  the  lakes  opposed  the  advance  of 
emigration.     Even  the  few  settlers  who  had  established  them- 
selves upon  the  banks  of  the  Muskingum  found  their  path 
beset  by  savages,  who  were  influenced  by  that  vindictive  jea- 
lousy whicli  they  at  this  time  entertained  toward  the  Ameri- 
can people  ;  and  while  the  emigrants  held  the  rifle  near  them 
as  a  defence  against  the  savages,  they  were  obliged  to  wield 
their  axes  upon  the  oaks  which  beset  their  path.  Indeed,  it  was 
only  about  forty  years  since  that  the  State  of  Michigan  came 
into  the  possession  of  the  United  States,  and  American  emi- 
grants had  scarcely  obtained  a  strong  foot-hold  upon  the  soil, 
when  the  war  of  1812  broke  out,  which  resulted  in  the  devas- 
tation  of  the  territory. 

When  the  last  peace  was  declared,  and  the  possession 
of  Michigan  was  regained,  formidable  obstacles  were  op- 
posed to  its  progress  in  a  fear  of  the  Indians  and  the  igno- 
rance which  prevailed  respecting  the  resources  of  the  inte- 
rior.    The  low  belt  of  soil  which  borders  its  surrounding 


is 


I 


320 


HISTORY   OF    MICHIGAN. 


P-P 


lakes  was  deemed  a  specimen  of  the  whole  territory.     The 
,    interior  was  occupied,  foi  the  most  part,  by  Indians  and  trad- 
ers, who  hud  just  emerged  from  a  struggle  with  the  United 
States  to  secure  the  domain.     But  few  motives  were  present- 
ed under  these  circumstances  for  any  thorough  explorations. 
It  was  for  the  interest  of  these  traders  and  Indians  to  describe  the 
country  as  low,  wet,  and  almost  submerged  by  swamps.*  When 
an  occasional  party  adventured  into  the  forest,  their  horses 
sunk  deep  in  the  mire  which  abounds  along  the  frontier  ;  and 
they  were  induced  to  return  without  advancing  further,  for 
their  own  experience  confirmed  the  current  reports.     They 
were  not  aware  of  what  facts  have  since  proved,  that  the  cen- 
tral portion  of  Michigan  abounded  with  a  dry,  undulating,  and 
fertile  soil,  in  every  way  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  agricul- 
ture. Accordingly  it  was  twenty  years  since  believed  that  what 
now  constitutes  the  State  of  Michigan  was  a  vast  morass,  sur- 
rounded only  by  a  narrow  rim' of  inhabitable  land. 

After  the  survey  had  been  made  of  the  territory,  the  public 
lands  brought  into  market,  and  the  Erie  Canal  haJ  been  con- 
structed, the  full  action  of  American  enterprise  was  felt  upon 
the  north-west.     It  appears  that  the  present  convenient  mode 
of  surveys,  which  is  now  employed,  ^vas  first  recommended 
by  General  William  H.  Harrison  in  1799,  when  a  delegate  of 
the  north-western  territory.      Albert  Gallatin  subsequently 
gave  his  aid  in  the  framing  of  the  law  which  was  afterwards 
established  for  that  object.     Prior  to  the  year  1820,  the  price 
demanded  by  government  for  land  was  two  dollars  by  the 
acre,  one  fourth  of  which  was  required  to  be  paid  on  the  pur- 
chase, and  the  remainder  in  three  annual  instalments :  a  dis- 
count of  eight  per  cent  being  allowed  if  the  whole  amount  was 
paid  in  advance,  but  subject  to  forfeiture  on  failure  of  payment. 
The  operation  of  this  system  was  found  to  be  aUended  with  evil 
consequences.     The  quality  of  the  soil,  and  the  probable  ad- 
vance of  its  value,  induced  m.any  to  adventure  into  large  pur- 


■ 


*  The  savages  always  opposed  the  progress  of  settlement.  The  first  survey- 
ors of  Michigan  met  with  opposition  from  the  Indians.  At  a  place  callid  Battio 
Creek,  in  this  State,  tlic  surveyors  and  Indiana  came  to  open  warfare.  Hence 
arose  tliat  name. 


ITS  PK0SPECT3. 


321 


chases    and  ^vhile  a  feu.  realized  fortunes  by  their  investments 
others  did  not  possess  the  means  of  paying  their  instaZt's 
ana  consequently  lost  the  whole.   Land  wa's  diminish;dTn  va-' 
lue  on  account  of  the  large  quantity  in  market.   The  whole  po- 
pupation  became  purchasers.      Produce  was  increased  in  the 
amount  ra.sed,  m  such  a  degree  as  to  exceed  the  demand  for  its 
onsumpfon  ;  and  the  profit  from  that  source  was  also  cut  off 
while  the  emigrants  required  labor  and  money  in  cder  to  im 
prove  the,r  farms.     The  purchase  of  lands  and  the    m  o2 
lon  of  iorergn  goods  drained  the  population  of  their  means  • 
the  amount  raised  and  the  market  for  products  were  not  suffi! 
c.enttoequahzethebalanceoftrade.     The  credit  system  wS 
however,  soon  abolished.  Tracts  might  be  purchased  in  smaU-' 

1  Ir  n^  ""'".  '■       ''^'  '^'"'^  ""''^^'^^  ^he  husbandman,  by  the 
abor  of  a  week,  to  procure  sufficient  land  to  maintain  him  for 
lUB  year. 

From  the  recent  emigration,  the  development  of  the  re- 
sources of  the  country,  the  establishment  of  public  works,  the 
increased  commerce  of  the  lakes,  which  opens  a  ready  mar- 
ket to  all  the  productions  of  the  west,  the  state  of  things  has 
be  ome  much  changed;  and  it  is  fotmd,  that  those  who  are 
wi  hug  to  exert  their  enterprise  in  agricultural  labor  seldom 
fail  to  receive  bountiful  returns,  as  all  the  productions  which 
are  not  required  by  the  local  population  find  a  ready  market 
at  the  east.   Large  capitalists  secure  a  profitable  subject  of  in- 
vestment  in  advancing  the  progress  oftb.se  improvements 
which  are  now  going  on,  and  everywhe.  3  the  motives  for 
production  are  increased. 

It  is  to  the  period  of  the  introduction  of  the  public  land 
into  market,  and  the  establishment  of  internal  improvement, 
furnishing  a  market  for  the  products  of  the  soil,  that  the 
growth  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  as  well  as  the  other  nortt 
western  States,  nmy  be  dated.  The  agricultural  classes  of 
he  eastern  population,  wliich  comprised  the  great  body  of 
the  emigrants,  were  induced  to  advance  into  this  region,  where 

♦  Seellall's  Statistics  of  tho  West. 

41 


iji 


322 


HISTORY    OK    MICHIGAN. 


i 


:3 


t)U  ^ 


the  best  legal  title  could  be  procii  •cd  to  the  richest  soil,  and 
the  labor  of  a  week  would  provide  suflicient  land  for  their 
support  during  a  year.  We  here  subjoin  n  tabic  from  the  of- 
ficial revision,  which  exhibits  the  growth  of  the  north-west- 
ern territory  at  the  different  periods  of  the  enumeration. 
Some  variations  are  to  be  considered  as  depending  upon  the 
change  of  state  and  territorial  boundaries. 


Ohio, 

fndiuna, 

Illinois, 

Michigan, 

Wisconsin, 


ISOO 


15,365 

4,875 


ISIO 


!30,7Bn 

24,520 

2,282 

4,762 


1^20   I    1830 


581,434  937,!)03 

147, 1 7^343,03 1 

55,211 1 157,455 

8,896   31,639 


1838 


1,600,000 
600,000 
525,000 
175,000 
•18,148 


Total  population  in  1838,  according  to  the 
received  estimate. 


2.918,148 


Numerous  causes  combine,  which  will  eventually  make  the 
State  of  Michigan  among  the  most  prominent  of  the  north- 
west ;  the  principal  of  which  are,  the  fact  that  it  is  almost  en- 
circled by  the  great  lakes,  and  that  it  possesses  a  fertile  soil, 
various  in  its  character,  possessing  but  little  waste  land,  and 
capable  of  holding  a  dense  population.  The  rich,  black 
mould  of  the  timbered  land,  the  best  quality  of  whose  soil  is 
indicated  by  a  growth  of  black  walnut,  white  wood,  ash, 
buck-eye,  and  sugar  maple,  is  eminently  adapted  to  agricul- 
ture. Although  there  are  parts  of  timbered  land  which  con- 
tain a  growth  of  sugar  maple,  these  are  comparatively  few ; 
such  tracts  comprise  a  most  fertile  soil.  When  deadened,  the 
trees  are  easily  burned  ;  but  when  green,  are  hard  to  Cl^.  The 
poorest  quality  of  this  species  of  land  is  that  on  which  there 
is  a  growth  of  beech  a.id  soft  maple,  and  that  soil  is  a  grey 
sand  based  on  a  stratum  of  blue  clay.  The  average  price  of 
clearing  and  fencing  this  soil  is  believed  to  be  about  fifteen 
dollars  per  acre.  It  is,  however,  not  un frequently  the  case 
that  potashes  are  made  upon  the  soil  in  sufficient  quantity  to 
pay  for  the  clearing  and  fencing.  The  first  crop  of  corn 
may  be  got  in  with  the  hoe,  and  will  often  yield  40  bushels  to 
the  acre  ;  it  is  excellent  for  grass  and  wheat,  is  often  watered 

*  See  American  Almanack  for  1838. 


iff    il 


ITS    PROSPECTS. 


5t  soil,  and 
I  for  their 
om  the  of- 
orth-west- 
inieration. 
upon  the 


323 


r  make  the 
the  north- 
almost  en- 
fertile  soil, 
I  land,  and 
ich;  black 
ose  soil  is 
wood,  ash, 

0  agricnl- 
k^hich  con- 
ively  few ; 
iened,  the 

c.n.  The 
hich  there 

1  is  a  grey 
^e  price  of 
out  fifteen 
]■  the  case 
piantity  to 
ip  of  corn 
bushels  to 
in  watered 


by  clear  springs,  and  produces  vegetation  a  fortnight  earlier 
than  the  openings.  ''      ^"'"«^ 

Along  the  margin  of  the  streams  of  Michigan  are  what 
nre  called  bottom  lands,  sometimes  running  back  a  mile  from 
the  bank ;  maintaining  the  same  general  character  with  the 
heavily  timbered  forest,  and  bounded  frequently  by  a  rid^e 
of  an   avernge   height  of  twenty  feet.     From  these   bluffs 
springs  often  gush  out,  and  flow  into  the  streams.     Durino- 
the  freshets  these  bottom  Lands  are  most  generally  overflowed! 
Saw  logs,  of  black  walnut  and  white  wood,  as  well  as  other 
forest  trees  are  obtained  when  the  stream  is  of  sufficient  depth 
to  admit  of  rafts  in  sufficient  quantity  to  pay  for  the  clearing. 
This  land  IS  favorable  /or  corn,  which  will  yield  in  greater 
quantity  than  the  timbered  uplands.     It  is  also  adapld  to 
i^-^nglish  grass,  which,  got  in  with  the  harrow  in  the  fall,  will 
produce  two  tons  to  the  acre.     Thi.,  in  the  present  scarcity 
of  that  article,  is  a  profitable  crop. 

There  is  a  striking  contrast  presented  in  the  oak  openings 
of  Michigan      Comprised,  as  they  are,  of  white  oaks  intt^r- 
speised  with  black  and  yellow  oaks,  as  well  as  hickory,  ma- 
ny of  the  trees  have  a  .haft  of  sixty  feet  of  hewing  timber. 
The  growth  of    hickory  indicates  a  soil  of  bright  yellow 
oam.     Being  free  from  under-growth,  it  produces  wheat  of 
the  first  character,  as  the  grain  is  plump  and  round,  and  free 
from  smut  or  cheat.     In  preparing  this  land  for  cultivation 
he  ordinary  course  for  the  emigrant  is,  to  cut  down  and  rol 
together  all  the  timber  under  the  size  of  a  foot  in  diameter, 
together  with  the  fallen  and  dead  timber  ;   to  girdle  the  re- 
mai.idor  when  he  has  taken  off  enough  rail  timber  to  fence 
It ;  to  break  up  the  land  in  the  months  of  June  and  Julv  the 
sop  oeuig  then  in  the  grass,  and  causing  the  turf  sooner  to  rof 
and  then  sow  a  bushel  and  a  iialf  of  wheat  to  each  acre  b^ 
he  midd  e  of  September.     The  expense  of  doing  this  will 
probably  be  about  ten  dollars  per  acre.     The  fi^st  crop  of 
w.ieat  will  be  about  twelve  bushels  per  acre,  which  will  be 
annually  increased  until  it  amounts  to  thirty  bushels.    In  the 
openings  there  is  also  another  description  of  timber  and  soil 
J  he  growth  is  frequently  a  grove  of  small  trees,  not  more 


r  (-1 

^1 


''*l!. 


324 


IIiaTOUY    OF    MUHIGAN. 


'^1 


IK     t 


^  t?i 


I 


than  eight  inches  in  diameter,  and  of  uniform  size.  Perhaps 
nn  occasional  plain  withont  vegetation,  breaks  the  scene ;  vrith 
here  and  there  a  tall  and  thrifty  oak  springing  from  a  yellow 
loam,  and  on  a  gently  undulating  soil. 

Openings,  which  adjoin  timhered  land,  are  not  unfrequently 
distinguished  by  an  nnder-growth  of  bushes  ten  feel  high, 
consisting,  among  other  products,  of  sassafras,  hazel,  and. 
hickory.  The  soil  of  the  openings  is  loose  ;  and  the  grass, 
although  sometunes  growing  knee  high,  .ind  affording  a  beau- 
tiful range  for  stock,  is  not  closely  matted  together  iike  that 
of  the  prairies ;  so  that  three  yoke  of  cattle  arc  generally 
sufficient  to  break  it  up. 

Each  kind  of  openings  is  subject  to  what  are  called  grubs. 
Those  are  formed  by  the  fires  which  annually  run  through 
the  \A  oods,  and  burn  the  tops  of  the  vegetation,  leaving  a  root 
which  spreads  over  the  ground  sometimes  three  feet  square, 
and  is  firmly  imbedded  in  the  soil.  Six  yoke  of  cattle  are  fre- 
quently required  to  tear  up  these  grubs,  which  is  done  by  the 
plough.  It  is  often  necessary  to  hitch  one  yoke  of  cattle  on  the 
rear  of  the  plough,  and  pull  it  back  three  or  four  feet  before 
it  can  go  on.  The  expense  of  clearing  this  land  will  depend,  in 
great  measure,  upon  the  conveniences  at  hand.  An  occasion- 
al pond  or  running  brook  furnishes  abundant  water;  and 
vater  may  also  be  found  by  digging  twenty-five  feet. 

The  soil  of  the  burr-oak  plains,  being  of  a  deep  brown 
sand  ov  loam,  is  mor"  productive  than  openings.  It  is  easily 
broken  up  when  free  from  grubs,  and  can  be  improved  at 
less  expense  when  lying  convenient  to  oak  openings  and  tim- 
bered land ;  the  burr-oaks  being  generally  eiglit  inches  in  di- 
ameter, of  a  scrubby  nature,  and  thinly  scattered  over  the 
surface  of  the  soil.  The  length  from  the  body  to  the  root  of 
the  tree  generally  maintains  an  average  of  about  fourteen 
feet.  As  the  burr-oak  is  difficult  to  split,  it  does  not  usually 
make  more  than  one  rail ;  and  the  soil,  like  that  of  the  open- 
ings, grows  black  by  cultivation,  which  is  caused  by  the  lime 
which  makes  up  a  great  part  of  its  composition,  producing 
the  finest  cmps  of  wheat :  it  is  not  equal  to  the  timbered  land 
ior  corn  or  grass.     The  usual  cost  of  breaking  and  fencing 


ITS  pnosi'ncTS. 


325 


Perhaps 

ene;  \rith 

a  yellow 

frequently 
feel  high, 
inzcl,  niid 
the  grass, 
ig  a  beau- 
like  that 
generally- 
led  grubs. 
I  through 
ing  a  root 
3t  square, 
tie  are  fre- 
ne  by  the 
ttle  on  the 
feet  before 
lepend,  in 
occasion- 
ater;  and 
t. 

!p  brown 
t  is  easily 
)roved  at 
!  and  tim- 
;hes  in  di- 
over  the 
lie  root  of 
fourteen 
)t  usually 
the  open- 
r  the  lime 
)roducing 
ered  land 
i  fencing 


this  land  is  about  ten  dollars  for  the  acre  ;  and  the  purest  wa- 
ter may  be  obtained  by  digging  twenty-live  feet. 

The  particular  advantages  of  the   prairies  are,  that  beiu"- 
composed  of  a  rich  black  muck,  based  on  a  stratum  of  clay 
varying  from  six  to  twelve  inches  in  depth,  and  being  free 
from  timber  and  grubs,  they  oppose  no  obstacle  to  the  plough. 
When  such  tracts  lie  adjoining  to  rail  timber,  improvements 
may  be  quickly  made  at  comparatively  small  expense,  and 
they  yield  certain  and  abundant  crops.     This  land  is  of  the 
most  durable  character,   and   possesses   many  advantages, 
which  are  counterbalanced,  perhaps,  by  disadvantages.    Wa- 
ter cannot  easily  be  obtained.     The  soil  is  difficult  to  work, 
as  it  will  not,  from  its  consistency,  scour  a  plough.   In  winter 
the  bleak  winds  sweep  over  their  surface  as  on  the  ocean. 
The  smut  is  somewhat  troul  lesome  in  the  wheat,  but  the 
crops  are,  bountiful.     From  the  fact  that  the  prairies  have 
been  first  selected  for  settlement,  they  often  furnish  to  the 
emigrants  of  the  timbered  land  their  grain,  until  they  have 
cleared  their  own  soil  and  raised  their  crops.     The  expense 
of  breaking  at ;d  fencing  this  species  of  soil,  where  the  rail 
timber  can  be  procured  at  no  greater  distance  than  three  miles, 
is  about  ten  dollars  per  acre. 

The  marshes,  or  wet  prairies,  are  another  valuable  species 
of  land.  These  most  usually  skirt  the  margins  of  the  streams, 
and  furnish  hay  for  stock,  both  in  the  summer  and  winter. 
Large  herds  of  Canadian  poneys  are  turned  out  to  feed  upon 
the  prairies  during  the  winter,  and  in  sprinjr  they  return  in 
good  order.  Besides  the  general  advantages  of  t!ie  soil  fur- 
nishing abundant  motive  to  immigration  and  settlement,  an- 
other cause  of  the  growth  of  Michigan  exists  in  the  charac- 
ter of  the  population.  Its  elements  are  of  that  kind  which 
has  ever  been  the  most  successful  in  advancing  the  proo-ress 
of  national  improvement.  They  are  descended  from  a  race 
which,  by  vigorous  enterprise  alone,  has  made  the  rocky  hills 
of  New  England  bud  and  blosscm  like  the  rose  ;  and  engrav- 
ed its  impression,  broad  and  deep,  in  the  accumulated  wealth 
and  public  improvement  of  the  State  of  New- York.  Slavery 
will  never  be  permitted  on  the  soil,  and  the  laborer  will  always 


\ 


396 


iiistohy  op  MicnioAN. 


I 


i  ':.(« 


be  presented  with  the  most  ample  means  and  motives  for  ex- 
ertion. 

From  the  immense  extent  and  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  com- 
mercial advantages,  wliich  are  fo-inded  on  its  river  and  lake 
navigation,  connected  as  it  is  with  almost  every  section  on 
the  east  by  canals,  rail-roads,  and  steamboats,    the  enterpris- 
ing and  sturdy  character  of  its  population;  and  the  motives 
tor  immigration,  both  at  home  and  from  abroad,  which  it  pre- 
sents;  It  must  be  admitted  that  Michigan,  in  common  with 
the  other  States  of  the  north-west,  is  destined  to  a  high  and 
glorious  career.     In  the  breadth  and  richness  of  the  soil  in 
Its  capacity  for  containing  a  dense  population,  it  is  admitted 
on  all  sides  that  the  territory  is  exceeded  by  that  of  no  other 
part  of  the  globe  ;  and  the  rapidity  of  its  growth  has  been 
heretofore  unexampled.     If  the  same  general  causes  continue 
to  exist,  Its  future  progress  must  continue  in  the  same  ratio  of 
increase.     He  who  should  judge  rightly  of  the  progress  of 
the  country,  might  stand  in  the  harbor  of  New- York  amid 
the  forest  of  masts  which  crowd  that  port,  and  in  the  tumult 
of  a  population  of  300,000,  view  the  ships  which  hug  the 
land,  as  if  receiving  nutriment  from  its  enterprise  and  wealth 
Looking  back  two  hundred  and  twenty-three  years,  he  would 
see  the  present  site  of  that  city  a  silent  and  uninhabited  forest  * 
It  requires  no  great  effort  of  the  imagination  to  suppose 
that  the  change  of  affairs  upon  the  lakes  in  a  single  century 
will  be  as  great  as  New- York  has  exhibited  within  that  pe- 
riod.    Besides  the  numerous  smaller  vessels  which  ply  upon 
the  lakes,  fifty-four  steamboats,  some  of  costly  structure,  now 
plough  their  waters.t     Surrounded  as  Michijran  i.^  by  fom  of 
these  most  fertile  States,  and  encircled  by  inland  seas,  a  pow- 
erful  physical  strength  is  already  acting  on  the  soil.     The 
rail-roads  and  canals  which  are  projected  across  the  penin- 
sula, the  geological  investigations  now  in  progress,  and  the 

♦  New  York  is  claimed  to  have  been  founded  by  the  Dutch  in  1G15 
t  The  sumptuous  arrangements  of  the  steamboats  upon  the  h.k.s  cannot  fail 
to  stnke  the  traveller.     Among  others  of  scarcely  less  size  and  elecmnre.  are  the 
Michigan,  the  Cleaveland,  the  Sandusky,  and  also  the  Buffulo^nd  Illinois 
which  appear  literally  like  "  floating  palaces."  ' ' 


ITS    PROSI'KCTS. 


327 


survey  of  harbors,  will  devclope  the  agricultural  and  miuc- 
ral  resources  of  the  State,  and  furnish  a  ready  market  for 
its  products.    Free  labor  is  here  acting  on  a  rich  soil,  and 
will  always  reap  a  certain  and  rich  reward.     Its  solid  wealth 
is  locked  up  lU  the  land  ;  and  the  plough  and  the  harrow, 
wielded  by  vigorous  arms,  are  all  that  is  required  to  unbar 
its  vaults.     The  spirit  which  is  now  acting  on  this  regioti   is 
the  hardy,  the  practical,  the  utilitarian  spirit;  which,  if  it  is 
not  destined  at  present  to  exhibit  the  most  splendid  monu- 
ments of  art,  wilt,  within  the  age  of  him  who  is  now  living, 
stretch  its  fields  of  wheat  from  Cincinnati  to  the  b  '■  ■,.  -he- 
quer  the  soil  with  canals  and  rail-rouds,  drain  its  n  ■   ,isses 
into  healthfiil  meadows,  mould  the  oaks  of  its  forests  and 
the  granite  of  its  hills  into  enduring  forms  of  American  archi- 
tecture, for  the  perpetuation  of  American  principles,  stud  its 
waters  with  commerce  and  its  inland  coasts  with  sea-ports. 
Population  will  throng  its  hills  and  valleys.     The  canal  will 
drag  the  wealth  of  the  interior  into  a  productive  market  on 
the  Erie  frontier ;  and  the  rail-road  car,  which  starts  with 
the  iising  sun  from  the  banks  of  the  Detroit,  will  be  illu- 
mined by  its   purple   beams    as  they  light    t!ie    shores   of 
Lake  Michigan.*     More  successful  i,i  its  achievements  than 
the  Grecian  conqueror,  Anierican  enterprise  has  here  found, 
and  is  subduing,  a  new  world  ;  not  by  the  sword  and  the 
bayonet,  but  with  the  axe,  the  plane,  and  the  plough  ;  not  by 
the  armies  and  navies  of  sceptred  potentates,  but  by  the 
sober  convictions  of  a  free  people,  the  exertions  of  hardy  in- 
dustry, and  the  sanction  of  righteous  laws. 

+  it  has  been  remarked,  that  Ihe  sun  sets  upon  the  upper  lakes  with  a  purple 
glow. 


It    <! 


t  '.t 


'  1 

■;  ',5'"!" 

ill 

I-: 

i 
*            » 

I     fe 


ir 


1  . 
«  1 


APPENDIX. 


^1 


IS : 

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^i :  II 

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APPENDIX. 


Note  I.— Page  5. 
ORIGINAL  COLONIZATION  OF  CANADA,  BY  FRANCIS  I. 

(From  Sharon  Turner's  '  llUtonj  nf  Henry  VIII.') 

Aa  Canada  is  now  bccomo  the  most  important  relic  of  our  North  American 
po«08s.on«,  and  is  daily  incrensing  in  its  pop.dation,  property,  undcommern.l 
feltttions,  and  was  (irst  colonized  in  the  rei..,  of  Henry  VIII,  it  nmy  gratify  the 
reader  to  peruse  the  ori<;inal  mstrtictions  for  the  earliest  settlement  that  wag 
made  upon  it,  from  the  European  branch  o(  the  human  race,  as  they  were  cith- 
er  dictated  or  approved  by  Francis  I. 

This  region  was  existing  unknown  to  all  the  other  parts  of  the  globe  until  the 
jear  1508,  when  son.e  Norman  and  Breton  adventurers,  seeking  their  fortune  at 
«ca  under  one  John  Denys,  of  Normandy,  accidentally  roved  near  it.  Thov 
did  httlo  more  than  inspect  some  of  its  coasts  ;  but  it  becamo  al^erwurds  known 
to  several  of  their  countrymen,  who  went  to  fish  near  it  shores,  and  v  hoso  reports 
about  It  at  last  mterested  Francis  I.  to  desire  that  it  should  bo  r.ore  specially 
examined.  '  ' 

With  thi.  view,  in  the  year  If.M,  he  sent  Jac,,ues  Carlier  MrJouin  to  rcron- 
noitre  the  country,  inspect  its  havens  and  ports,  and  by  sailin"  up  the  -reat  -I- 
ver  which  Ho  ved  from  it,  to  learn  all  that  he  could  collect  of  its  soil,  clK.mte  and 
inliabitanta.  Cartier  executed  his  commission  with  satisfactory  diligence  anj 
the  informal.on  which  he  communicated  on  his  rcturt)  !..termincd  t7.o  French 
king  to  establish  a  colony  in  the  country,  near  its  principal  river,  now  called  St 
Lawrence,  which  .s  the  largest  stream  of  water  in  North  America.  This  im-' 
portantnver  was  then  termed  Caka..*  by  the  natives,  and  its  name  becamo 
transferred  to  tho  country  itself,  though  it  was  afterwards  also  called  New 
1*  ranco. 

His  expensive  wars  with  the  emperor  prevented  Francis  I.  from  pursuing  his 
plan  of  colonizing  Canada  till  tho  year  15:(8.  Hut  having  at  last  agreed  with 
Charles  V.  to  establish  a  general  truce  between  them  for  ten  years,  from  tho 
i8th  Jurie,  1538.  he  proceeded,  three  months  aft.rwards,  to  the  accomplishment 
of  his  colonial  enterprise;  and  it  is  in  the  September  of  this  year  that  the  follow- 
mg  oirioal  document  occurs,  for  the  outfit  of  the  expedition  to  establish  tho 
l.rst  settlement  in  this  territory  of  North  Amenca,  which  has  now  become  such 
u.i  imporUnt  member  of  the  foreign  dominions  of  Great  Britain 


^l-i 


I 


.<    '^l, 


332 


APPENDIX. 


I 


h   .  ft,  < 


■■«  i 


"  Mevwir  of  the  J\len  a:id  Provisionn  nccasary  for  the  Vessels  which  the  King 
intends  to  send  into  Canada. 

"  To  perform  tlie  voj'age  which  the  king  our  sovcrign  lord  desires  to  have 
made  to  Canada,  it  must  go,  at  the  latest,  in  the  middle  ofiVlay  r  and  must  liavo 
the  number  of  persons  and  ships  liercinaftcr  mentioned,  to  be  increased  or 
lessened  as  M.  Le  Conneiable  (tlic  prime  minister)  shall  think  proper. 

"  It  will  be  requisite  to  have,  as  well  for  guarding  the  ships  that  will  remain 
there,  as  for  the  equipment  of  several  boats  which  will  be  wanted  to  go  into  the 
various  streams  and  rivers,  120  mariners. 

"  Also  forty  men  of  war ;  harqucbiiziers. 

"  Also  thirty  carpenters,  as  well  of  ships  as  of  houses,  and  sawyers  who 
work  lengthways. 

"  Ten  master  masons,  who  can  be  assisted  by  those  of  the  country  who  will 
eervo  them. 

"  Three  men  who  can  make  lime. 

"  Three  makers  of  tiles. 

"  Two  coalmen,  to  make  charcoal. 

"  Four  master  farriers,  each  having  a  forge  and  two  servants,  with  two  lock- 
smiths. 

"  Four  smiths,  to  search  and  ascertain  if  there  be  any  mine  of  iron,  and  to 
make  forges  and  work  iron  there. 

"  To  take,  at  least,  six  vine-dressers  and  six  laborers. 

"  Three  barbers,  and  each  a  servant. 

"  Two  apothecaries,  with  each  a  servant,  to  examine  and  see  the  useful  qua- 
lities of  the  herbs. 

"  A  physician  and  a  servant. 

"Two  goldsmiths  who  are  lapidaries,  with  their  necessary  utensils,  and  each 
a  servant. 

"  Two  master  tailors,  and  two  master  hosiers,  and  each  a  servant. 

"Two  joiners  and  two  servants,  with  their  tools. 

"  Two  masters  rope-makers  and  two  servants,  because  there  is  hemp  to  make 
cordage. 

"  Four  cannoneers  at  least,  and  the  men-of-war  will  make  use  of  these  when 
need  requires. 

"Six  churchmen,  Vvilh  all  things  necessary  for  divine  service;  in  all  276 
men. 

"  To  be  victualled  for  two  years  at  least ;  that  if  the  ships  which  sliail  be  sent 
there  next  year  should  not  arrive,  those  now  going  may  not  want  food. 

"  These  victuals  must  bo  well  made,  and  so  good  as  to  last  all  this  time  ;  and 
there  must  be  some  of  the  dry  wines  of  Spain. 

"  These  victuals  may  cost  ten  sols  a  month  for  each  man,  which,  for  the  27G 
men  for  24  months,  will  amount  to  .'53,120  livres. 

"  They  must  also  i)e  furnished  with  clothes,  beds,  coverings,  and  all  niher 
necessaries  for  two  or  three  years  ;  and  they  must  leave  some  money  behind 
for  their  wives  and  children. 

"  Therefore  they  must  he  \r.iu\  in  advance  for  liftcen  or  sixteen  months,  and 
this  will  cost  at  least,  one  witli  the  other,  100  sols  a-month. 


APPENDIX. 


333 


f| 


"  Ten  tons  of  iron,  which  will  cost  fifty  jivres, 

"  l''.igl.t  or  to,,  ,,r,se3  of  salt,  as  well  for  the  people  of  the  country,  who  very 

rrcach  priso'  "  "'  "'"'  "'"""'  ""'"'     '^'''"  ^'"  '"'''  *"  ^""■'"^  ''^'^  «»>« 
^  J' Four  milliers  yards  of  common  linen,  as  well  for  the  naUvcs  as  for  the 

"  Three  hundred  pieces  of  crezeaus  for  natives  and  ships. 
"Also  millstones,  to  make  water-mills,  wind-mills,  and  hand-mills. 
1  hey  must  also  carry  out  as  .nany  as  possible  of  all  manner  and  kinds  of 

ZT    r  r  '"'^  '"'''  ''  "•^"  ''  ""^  ""  "'^^'^  '^^  "^  ''-'^d  i»  'ho  country  ; 
and  all  sorts  of  grams  and  seeds.  ' 

'■For  their  passage  there  must  be  at  least  six  ships,  of  not  less  than  110  tons, 
v^  h  two  barks  of  45  or  50  tons  each  ;  these,  w.th  the  smallest  of  the  s..v  ships 

Urn,a.n  there  and  the  other  five  will  return  as  soon  as  they  hav.  landed  th 
V  ctuals  and  good..    For  the  return  of  these  five,  each  nrnst  Imve  twenty  men 
over  and  above  the  aforesa.d  number.     They  may  take  m  goin.  and  dm 
and  m  staymg  there,  five  or  si.  n.onths,  for  wh.eh  Un.e  they'  m^st  be  v  ZiT 
led^;   and  be  pazd  two  months  on  gon.g  out,  and  U>e  remLder  on  their  re- 

a  1T'"T  ""Tu"  """f '""'  "'"  *''"■ '°  '''"''  ^°'  '^'  '■°^'«  i  "'il'^^y  arquebuses, 
a  croc,  pikes.  halberts.  lead,  ball..,  powder,  and  other  thm.g. 

U:^^Z  :r  ^  '"''  ''''-'  ''^'^  ^°  P"'  «"'  -^-  "-'  ^o  io  out  on 

"AH  sorts  of  nail-work,  pitch,  and  tar  for  the  ships. 

"1  he  s,x  ships,  beingfrom  700  to  800  tons,  will  cost  a  crown  per  ton  a  month, 
f  r  moe«se;  or  about  900  crowns  a  month,  and  for  the  six  months  4900 

"  There  must  be  also  provided  pay  and  victuals  for  100  men,  to  bring  back  the 
h  pp.ngtius  year  who  may  1,0  detained  six  rnon.hs;  which  would  amount  to 
1000  l.vros  a  month,  and  therefore  for  the  six  months  6000  livres. 

"  Made  the  . . .  September,  1538." 
I  derive  this  curious  paper  from  the  collection  of  state  letters  made  by  Ribior 
;.      00,  and  addressed  by  n:m  to  Colbert,  the  celebrated  minister  of  Loul  XIV 
1  his  counsellor  ol  state  dascribes  Canada  as  then  "  a  vast  country,  uncultivat 

Willi  reattJr"'  ^"'    '   "''-'  •"--    -'""^'>''«'^.  --Pt   ^y  ^-ons    :„d 

{..eurde     obervul,  and  in  1543  another  fleet,  under  his  supenntendence,  wn,  sei^t 

fered  ether  ol  his  contemporaries,  Charles  V.  or  Henry  VIIF.,  to  have  surpLs 
ed  him  m  his  encouragement  to  every  laudable  undertaking  whch   he    „tZ; 
and  spirit  ol  the  day  were  inclined  to  pursue. 


i    *! 


884 


APPENDIX. 


f": 

:'**■ 

1 

t 

1  , 

1 

:i 


IP  IfBf 


Note  II.— Page  14. 
The  following  remarks,  contained  in  tlio  Discourse  of  Mr.  Henry  R,  School- 
craft  before  the  Historicul  Society  of  Michigan,  exhibit  the  progress  of  the 
Iroquois  upon  the  American  side  of  the  lakes,  in  their  marches  against  tho 
Algonquins  ;— They  were  not  satisfied  with  their  conquests  toward  the  south 
and  west.  Tiiey  p-ished  their  war  parties  north  to  Lake  Huron,  by  the  route 
of  Lake  Simcoe  and  Nadowasakin?,  where  (hey  found  and  subdued  the  mixed 
tribe  of  the  Missisaages.  They  passed  through  this  lake  to  the  island  of  St. 
Joseph  in  the  river  St.  Mary,  where  a  severe  action  took  place  between  them 
and  the  Huron.^.  This  action  was  fought  on  the  water,  and  in  canoes.  They 
were  not  deterred  by  the  parlinl  discomfiture  attending  it.  They  passed  deeo 
mto  the  northern  regions,  and  exhibited  themselves  in  a  strong  body  on  the 
borders  of  Lake  Superior,  at  a  prominent  point,  which  perpeuates  their  name 
and  deCcaf. 

Point  Iroquois,  or,  as  it  is  called  by  the  Indians,  tho  Place  of  !-oquois  Bones,* 
IS  at  least  900  miles  from  the  general  seat  of  the  Iroquois  Coun  .1  Fire  at  Onon- 
dagua. 

At  this  distant  point,  in  the  career  of  their  conquest,  flushed  with  victory 
and  confident  of  success,  they  encamped. 

It  is  said  a  prisoner  was  sacrificed,  to  stimulate  tiie  thirst  of  vengeance,  and 
to  swell  the  number  of  melancholy,  but  in  general  doubtful  instances  in  which 
man  has  voluntarily  polluted  his  lips  with  tho  flesh  of  man. 

But  111  the  height  of  the  infernal  ceremony  retribution  was  at  hand.  Their 
passage  through  the  river,  and  the  audacious  and  reckless  spirit  which  they 
had  everywhere  manifested,  had  been  narrowly  watched.  The  Chippewas 
hastily  mustered  their  forces,  and  prepared  to  foUov/  them.  When  they  had 
reached  the  head  of  the  straits  opposite  the  Iroquois  camp,  the  weather  became 
threatening  ;  and  it  was  debated  whether  they  should  not  defer  their  passage  till 
the  next  day.  In  this  dilemma,  their  prophet  or  seer  was  appealed  to  ;  an^d  he, 
after  the  usual  ceremonies,  declared  a  favorable  omen.  They  awaited  the  ap- 
proach  of  night,  and  embarked  in  two  divisions.  The  darkness  of  (he  nic^ht 
was  extremely  fav„rable  to  their  enterprize.  The  parties  landed  at  separate 
places,  and  formed  a  junction  in  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  Iroquois  camp. 
The  prophet  here  declared  another  favorable  omen.  They  then  sent  forward 
some  scoutes  to  observe  the  condition  of  the  enemy,  who  appeared  totally  un- 
conscious of  danger,  and  were  still  singing  their  war-songs.  It  was  determined 
to  remain  in  (heir  concealed  position  till  the  enemy  had  gone  to  sleep.  It  then 
commenced  raining.  They  advanced  in  the  rain  and  darkness,  cautiously 
feeling  their  way,  to  the  edge  of  the  woods.  They  then  made  their  onset. 
The  struggle  was  fierce,  but  of  short  duration.  As  had  been  concerted,  each 
lodge  was  surrounded  at  (he  same  moment;  the  poles  lifted,  and  the  tent 
precipitated  upon  the  sleepers,  who  were  dispatched,  as  they  started  up,  bewil- 
dered and  entangled  in  ilieir  tents.  A  great  slaugliter  ensued.  Very  few  of 
tlie  Iroquois  escaped  to  carry  the  news  of  the  disaster,  nor  did  this  nation  ever 
renew  their  inroad. 
About  the  same  time  (1630)  some  of  the  other  northern  tribes  made  a  suc- 


*  Nadowagaquining. 


APPENDIX. 


335 


y  R.  School- 
gress  of  the 
against  tho 
rd  the  south 
by  the  route 
ed  the  mixed 
sland  of  St. 
tween  them 
loes.  They 
passed  deeo 
body  on  the 
I  their  name 

lois  Bones,* 
ire  at  Onon- 

vith  victory 

geance,  and 
;e3  in  which 

ind.  Their 
which  they 
Chippnwas 
en  they  had 
iher  became 
passage  till 
to ;  and  he, 
lited  the  ap- 
f  (he  night 
at  separate 
luois  camp, 
ent  forward 
tnt:illy  un- 
determined 
p.  It  then 
cautiously 
heir  onset. 
;erlcd,  each 
nd  the  tent 
I  up,  i>cwil- 
r''ery  fuw  of 
nation  ever 

lade  a  auc« 


cessful  efibrt  to  repair  tho  injuries  thoy  liad  received  from  the  Five  Nations  A 
party  of  400  Iroquois  having,  in  one  of  their  western  excursions,  reached  tho 
banks  of  the  Maumee  river,  surprised  the  camp  of  the  Miamis  and  llhnois 
killed  upwards  of  30,  and  took  300  prisoners,  among  whom  were  a  -real  pro^ 
portion  ot  women  and  children;  w.th  this  trophy  they  commenced  their  return 
conhdent  m  their  strength,  and  the  dread  their  name  had  inspired  amon-  the 
western  tribes.     The  discomfited  Miamis  prepared  to  avenge  their  loss.    ° 

They  obtained  the  aid  of  some  of  the  tribes  in  alliance  with  them,  and  made 
a  hasty  pursuit,  keeping  far  enough  in  the  rear  to  avoid  prematu-  discovery, 
and  determined  to  improve  the  first  opportunity  to  concert  a  stratac^em.  For' 
tune  came  to  their  aid.  ° 

A  rain  storm  commenced,  and  continued  with  sucli  violence  that  they  were 
confident  the  Iroquois  would  stop. 

The  rain  fell  incessantly  from  morning  till  evening.  Conceiving  this  a  favor- 
able  opportunity,  they  pushed  on  with  such  diligence  that  they  got  in  advance 
of  the  enemy.  They  concealed  themselves  on  the  sides  of  the  trail  in  meadow 
grounds,  where  tho  grass  screened  them,  and  the  make  of  the  ground  afforded  a 
favorable  position  for  attack.  When  the  Iroquois  had  entered  the  defile,  tho 
Miamis  started  up,  and  pouring  in  from  all  sides,  threw  them  into  confusion. 
Ihe  panic  of  the  Five  Nations  was  further  increased  on  discoverin.^  that  the 
ram  had  rendered  their  fire-arms  useless,  and  they  were  compelled  to  rely 
chiefly  on  their  war-clubs.  In  this  contest,  the  superior  activity  of  the  western 
Indians  m  the  management  of  theirnative  weapons  became  manifest.  One 
hundred  and  eighty  of  the  Iroquois  fell ;  the  rest  retreated  fighting  till  ni<rht 
put  a  stop  to  the  conflict.  o       o  a 

The  Miamis  recovered  all  their  prisoners,  and  efTected  a  safe  retreat  A 
very  different  result,  however,  generally  attended  the  Iroquois  expeditions  to- 
wards  the  west  and  north.  Their  track  was  literally  marked  with  blood  •  but 
It  was  blood  doomed  to  be  atoned  for  by  future  humiliation.  Their  career  had 
terminated  as  inauspiciously  as  if  they  had  never  sacked  villages  and  extermi- 
nated  tribes.  No  foresight  could  have  anticipated  that  the  lapse  of  time  would 
bring  back  thisproud  and  conquering  people  into  the  upper  lakes  as  supplicants 
to  the  north-eastern  tribes  for  a  small  tract  of  ground  to  raise  their  corn  upon, 
and  to  serve  as  a  refuge  for  their  children.  Yet  such  are  the  facts  exhibited  by 
the  treaty  of  purchase  made  by  the  Iroquois  delegates  of  the  Menominies 
and  Winebagocs  in  1321.  This  treaty  took  place  at  Green  Bay,  near  which 
the  Iroquois  settlements  have  been  gradually  accumulating. 

Six  years  later,  at  Butte  des  Morts,  they  formerly  smoked  the  pipe  of  peaca 
with  the  Northern  Algonquin?,  aflera  war  which,  without  any  formal  cessation, 
is  known  to  have  continued  the  better  part  of  two  centuries.  , 

In  looking  to  the  causes  which  gave  the  Iroquois  such  a  preponderance  to  the 
other  tribes,  the  advantages  of  a  close  union,  and  their  local  position  at  tho 
sources  of  so  many  important  streams,  have  been  mentioned  by  their  eloquent 
historian.*  But  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  great  and  efficient  cause  of  their 
success  existed  in  their  having  early  acquired  the  use  of  fire-arms,  while  the 
western  tribes  arihered  with  obstinacy  to  tho  bow  and  club.    Even  after  tha 

*  Clinton. 


sf   ' 


ii 


336 


APl'ENniX. 


l    ' 


•I 


V  Ti 


'-i';'« 


if 


lake  tribes  had  obtained  a  supply  of  liisils,  they  still  hankered  after  tlinir  ancient 
arms  ;  and  twice,  within  Imlf  a  century,  (from  17G2  to  18ia,)  they  formed  eon- 
federacies  against  the  whites,  based  on  a  toi.il  renunciation  of  the  use  of  Ku- 
ropean  manufacture.  But  little  can  be  said  in  corroborulion  of  tiio  opinion 
which  has  been  advanced,  that  the  Iroipiois  were  a  superior  race  of  men  to  nth- 
cr  of  our  tribes ;  and  in  support  of  which,  their  valor  and  exploits,  and  parti- 
culariy  their  skill  as  diplomatists  and  orators,  have  !)een  njidiiccd. 

Brave  they  undoubtedly  were,  according  to  the  Indian  idea  of  bravery.  As  far 
as  mere  brute  force  could  triumph,  they  triumphed. 

But  with  all  their  achievements  they  never  acquired  the  moral  courage  to 
spare  the  vanquished  after  battle.  They  never  elevated  themselves  above  tho 
savage  principle  which  does  not  distinguish  between  a  public  and  private  foe. 


Note  III.— Page  31. 
Massacres  of  the  Jesuits  by  the  Iroqvnis. 
Father  Hennepin,  who  was  for  some  time  a  missionary  among  the  Iroquois, 
Etates  that  the  savages  believed  him  to  be  a  conjurer ;    and  a  burnished  sil- 
ver chalice,  which  he  had  in  his  possession,  was  the  subject  of  much  fear. 
"The  Indians,"  says  Pere  Jerome  Lallamant,  "fear  us  as  the  greatest  sorcer- 
ers on  earth."  The  first  religious  mission  of  the  Jesuits  to  the  savages  of  North 
America  was  about  the  year  161 1.    Their  zeal,  their  endurance  of  deprivation 
m  the  necessaries  of  life,  evinced  their  religion  ;  which  was  most  frequently 
crowned  with  the  most  intense  tortures  of  martyrdom.    Pere  Brebeuf,  who  l»d 
suffered  the  hardships  of  the  wilderness  for  twenty  years,  was  at  last  burned 
ahve,  together  with  his  coadjutor,  Pere  Lallamant,  upon  the  shores  of  Lake  Hu- 
ron.    A  number  of  other  Jesuits  were  also  put  to  death  by  the  Iroquois.   Among 
these  were  Daniel  Gamier  Buteaux,  La  Riborerde,  Liegeouis,  Goupil,    and 
Constantin.    1  heir  deprivations  may  be  known  in  some  measure  from  the  work 
of  Pere  Lallamant  in  his  "  Relation  de  ce  qui  s'csl  dans  le  pays  dcs  Ihirons, 
1 6 10.   "  For  bed,"  says  he,  «  we  have  nothing  but  a  miserable  piece  of  bark  of  a 
tree;  for  nourishment  a  handfuU  or  two  o*"'      \  cither  roasted  or  soaked  in  wa- 
ter, which  seldom  satisfies  our  hunger ;  and,  allt  all,  not  venturing  to  perform  even 
the  ceremonies  of  our  religion  without  being  considered  as  sorcerers."    In  ro- 
gard  to  the  success  of  their  exertions,  Pere  Lallamant  remarks,  "  With  respect 
to  adult  persons  in  good  health,  there  is  litttle  apparent  success  ;  on  the  contrary 
there  have  been  nothing  but  storms  and  whirlwinds  from  that  quarter."  ' 


Note  VV.—Page  40. 

"  The  following  grant,  being  the  first  in  Detroit,  was  made  by  Antoinc  de 
Lamothe  Cadillac,  Esq.  Lord  of  Bouaquet  Montdesert,  and  Commandant  for 
the  king  at  Detroit  Pont  Chartrain. 

His  Majesty,  by  his  despatches  of  the  14th,  17th,  and  19th  June,  1705  and 
1706,  having  given  us  power  to  concede  the  lands  of  Detroit  in  the  manner 
which  we  shall  judge  good  and  convenient  ;  We,  by  virtue  of  the  said  power 
from  hiB  Majesty,  have  given,  granted,  and  conceded  to  Francois  Falard  Do- 
lorme,  interpreter  for  the  king  in  this  place,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  an  extent  of 
land  of  two  arpents  in  front  by  twenty  in  depth,  joining  on  one  side  our  manor. 


AITKNDIX. 


337 


fthnir  ancient 
f  formed  con- 
3  iiHO  of  Eu- 
'  tlio  opinion 
f  men  to  otli- 
Is,  and  porti- 

Lvcry.  As  far 

I  coiirngo  to 
OS  above  tho 
private  foe. 


the  Iroquois, 
urnished  sil- 

mucli  fear, 
itest  sorcer- 
ies of  North 

deprivation 
it  frequently 
iuf,  who  liad 
last  burned 
)f  Lake  Hu- 
ms. Among 
roupil,  and 
)m  the  work 
ks  Iliiroiix, 
of  bark  of  a 
iked  in  wa- 
icrform  even 
rs."  In  ro- 
l^'ith  respect 
lie  contrary, 
or." 


A.ntoinc  de 
landant  for 

1705  and 
he  manner 
said  power 
Falard  Dc- 
n  extent  of 
our  manor. 


and  on  tho  other,  Francois  Hasscron,  and  on  the  Woi.lh,  the  Ci  rand  lUvor ;  which 
two  arponts  ill  front  sliallbu  drawn  and  alienated  in   (ho  depth  by   the'conrno 
north  north-west ;   and  m  case  any  part  short  of  two  ur|..MitH  was  f„un,l  in  tho 
ahenation,  tho  sa.no  .p.antity  shall  ho  furnished  to  him  in  another  place,  not  yet 
conceded,  without  any  expense ;   which  suid  two  arponts  in  In.nt  by  twenty  in 
depth,  the  Paul  Francois  Fafard,  his  heirs  and  ossigns,  sinll  l.obl  and  enj..y  for 
ever,  xyith  the  privilege  of  li.hing,  huntin<r,  and  trading  hares  ;  rabbit.,  partridges 
and   pheasanrs    excepted.      Said    Francois   Fafard,   his    heirs    and    a..-ns 
shall  be   bound  to   pay  us,  our  heirs  and    .asi^ns,   in   onr   easllo  and   p°rin. 
ci|.al  manor,  each  year  on  the  2()th  of  March,  for  tho  said  habit  ition,  the  sum 
of   hvo  livrcs  quit  rent  and  rent,  and  over  and  above,  for  other  ri-bts  whereof 
we  h„ve  divested  ourselves,  tho  «n.,  of  ten  livres  in  peltries  good  and  mer- 
cbantablo;   and  when  a  cu.rent  money  shall   be  c.tnbhsli.d  in  this  country, 
the  said  l.ranco:s  Fafard  shall  pay  the  said  rent  in  said  money  f.,r  ever.     Ho 
shall   I.Kowiso  be  obliged  to  begin    to    clear  and  improve   the  said   conces- 
sion within  three  montlis  from  the  ,late  of  iheso  presents,  in  .lefanlt   whereof 
wo  shall  concede  his  habitation  to  whom  it  shall  appertain.     He,  his  heirs  and 
assigns,  ...all  be  moreover  o!,liged  to  comply  with  tho  following  cbar.'es,  clai.ns 
and  cond.t.OMH  :   to  wit  :  to  come  a.id  carry,  plant,  or  help  to  plant,  a  Ion-  May 
pole  belore  the  .loor  of  our  piincipal  .nanor  on  the  lirst  .lay  of  May   in  "every 
year  ;   and  ,1  ho  fails,  ho  shall  pay  .,3  three  livres  in  money  or  .'ond  peltries-  he 
shall  l.kew.so  be  obl.ged  to  come  a,.d  grind  his  grains  in    the  mills  *  which 
we  have  or  shall  have  hereafter,  on  paying  for  the  right  for  grinding  of  what- 
ever  kind  the  grains  may  be,  cigh(  pn„nds  weight  by  the  b..shel  ;   and  in  caso 
he  shall  sell  his  habitation  in  the  whole  or  in  part,  ho  shall  be  obliged   to  i„r„rn, 
ns  ot  It,  and  we  reserve  to  o.irselves  the  preference  for  the  price  anil  su,n   wl.i.d, 
i.iay  be  ort,.rod  to  h.m  ;  a.id,  on  the  same  con.lition,  lawful  and  pennitte.l,  ho 
shall  not  sell,  a.le,  or  transfer  it,  by  mo.tgago  but  with  o.ir  consent,  and  he  bs 
Mi  .ject  to  tho  public  cnargea  and  servitudes,  as  also  to  the  foes  for  ri"ht   ol 
ali.Mialion.  ° 

Said  Francois  Fafard  shall  not  be  permiitoil  diirin-  fen  yars  t,.  wo-k    or 
cmso  any  person  to  work,  directly  or  ...di,oclly,  at  the  profession  and   trade  of 
a  blacksnuth,  locksmith,  n.morcr,  or  brewer,  without  a  permit  ..nder  our  hand  • 
reserving,  besides,  the  timber  whi,.h  may  b  •  wanted  for  the  torfKieations  ■,   d  for 
the  construction  of  boats  or  other  vessels.     Said  Francois  Fafard  may  setirl  down 
Jo  Montreal,  or  other  places  of  the  lower  colony,  all  the  articles  h,-  pleases    in 
as  large  a  quantity  us  bo  chooses  ;  and  to  bring  from  thenee  merehandises  and 
other  efT.'cts,  in  as  largo  a  (piantity  as  Ik;  chooses,  o,,  the  condition  that  be  shall 
Bell  his  said  efiocts  and  merchandises  by  himself  only,  or  by  other  inhibitanta  of 
this  place,  but  not  by  engagees  or  clerks,  or  foreigners  or  stran-ers    not  osta- 
bl.shod  residenters  in  this  place,  with  their  family,  on  pain  of  conliscntion  and 
lossofsiud  e(F!cts  and  merchandises;  and  in  caso  tho  said  Francois  Fafard 
Bhall  sell,  c(^de,  or  transfer  his  habitation  in  the  whole  to  a  foreigner,  or  ano- 
ther not  established  in  this  place,  the  possessor  or  purchaser  of  said  habitation 
in  any  manner,  whatever  he  may  he,  or  beeome  such,  shall  be  liable  to  the  same 
quit  rent  and  rent  as  tho  said  Francois  Fafard  ;    and  if  tho  said  Francois  Fafard 
Bells,ccdes,  or  transfers  part  of  his  habitation  toaforoigner,  tho  purchaser  in  what- 
•  This  mill  was  called  .Moulin  Bannaiil,  or  tho  Mill  of  tho  Manor 

4:i 


-ii' 


338 


Ari'ENDIX. 


id 

WW? 


ill  '     ! 


S  i. 


^IHHS. 


ever  manner  l,c  bo  or  become  such,  .hall  bo  obliged  to  pay  ns,  our  heirs  and 
nss.gns  forever,  iii  proportion  ofthe  said  rem  and  quit  rent ;  and  besides  over  and 
above,  (or  the  rights  whereof  wo  havf,  divested  ourselves,  (he  sum  of  ten  livrea 
for  each  year  on  the  20th  day  of  March.     Said  Francois  Fafard  shall  not  he 
permuted  to  sell  or  trade  brandy  to  Indians,  on  pain  of  confiscation  and  loss 
or  his  ImhUalion,  and  of  the  brand    found  thereon,  oi  effects  received  for  the 
i«a.nej  and  .f  the  said  purchaser  in  the  whole  or  in  part  is  an  inhabitant,  and 
pays  the  sum  „.  ten  kvres  for  the  rights  wl.e,«,f  we  have  divested  oiirsrlves, 
he  shall  pay  us  only  tlv<  quit  rent  and  rents  of  his  acquisition,  and  not  the 
sum  ot  ten  l.vres  over  and  above;  and  if  the  habitation  of  the  said  Francois 
^aJard  pa^-.-s  into  ether  hands,  in  whatever  manner  it  may  be,  and  that  ho 
be  or  become  proprietor  of  another  piece  of  ground,  house,  or  habitation,  the 
Slid  Francois  Fafard  shall  pay  iw,  o„r  he.r.  and  assigns  for  ever,  the  sum  often 
l.vres  (or  the  rights  whereof  we  hav.,  divested   ourselves,  besides  the  quit  rent 
and  rent  of  the  habitation,  piece  of  ground,  or  house;  and  in  case  tl,,;  said 
Francois  Palard  remains  without  possession  of  any  land,  house,  or  habitation, 
he  shai   be  divested  of  all  the  privileges  to  him  granted  by  this  present  conces- 
B.on.     In  consideration  and  generally  of  all  the  ,  laims,  charges  and  conditions 
atoresaid  towards  us,  our  heirs  and  assigns,  thr    aid  Francois  Fafard,  his  heira 
and  assigns,  shall  hnld  and  enjoy  the  snid  concession  ;  shall  sell  and  trade  ag 
well  with  the  French  as  with  the  Indians,  in  conforming  himself  to  the  re- 
gulations and  to  the  orders  o(  his  Majesty, 

Done  at  F.rt  Pontchartrain,  lOi    of  March,  1707, 

Ti,»=„        .  „  Lamovhe  Cadillac. 

r,iese  grants  were  gen -rally  required  to  be  rontirmed  by  th.>  Kin^  of  France  - 
but  from  certain  causes  which  prevailed  at  that  perio.l,  only  three  le.,-,1  cranta 
were  made  under  the  French  Govrrnment.  lo  some  of  these  tracts  ba.k  con- 
cessions  were  subsequently  granted.  Snbr.quent  grants  were  made  to  French 
citizens  by  Bellestre  and  other  ofthe  French  commandants;  but  it  appears 
that  these  were  unauthorized,  t^nd  were  never  confir  ,.ed  by  the  king  of  France, 

Note  V.—Page  61. 
The  subjoined  petition  fiom  sundry  inhabitants  of  Detroit,  to  stay  a  '  e.pns» 
on  a  mill,  exh.hts  the  mode  of  legal  ,.roceeding3  throughout  the  posts  in  Michi- 
gan undnr  the  French  dominion. 

"  To  Messrs.  De  Celoron,  Knight  of  the  Royal  and  Military  Order  of  St 
Louis,  Commandant  for  the  King  at  Fort  Detroit,  Landrieve,  doin-  the  duty  of 
Commissary  and  Deputy  Intendent  of  New  France  in  the  said  phcc 

"The  inhabitants  of  Detroit  humbly  represent  to  you.  gentlemen,  that  the 
mil  situated  on  the  farm  of  Claude  Campeau  of  an  indispensable  necessity 
and  convenience  for  the  public.  They  have  h.  d  that  the  named  Cahncier  an 
mhabitantof  Detroit,  was  seeking  the  meann  to  have  ,  irmolished  under'the 
pretext  that  th,  corner  of  his  meadow  was  inundated  by  the  said  mill  It  is  ea 
8ily  seen,  that  il  is  by  a  spirit  of  incompatibility  and  contradiction  towards  his 
neighbors  ;  for  lu  summer  his  meadow  is  dry,  and  in  winter  the  water  has  its 
natural  course,  the  said  mill  not  going  on  account  of  the  ice.  This  mill  was 
constructed  by  the  consent  of  M.  De  Boishcbert,  formerly  commandant  m  this 
lort,  as  a  thing  useful  to  the  public,  and  along  time  before  the  concession  ofthe 


f't 


APPENDIX. 


880 


118,  our  licirs  and 
besides  over  and 
sum  of  ten  livn  s 
[ird  shall  not  i  o 
iacation  and  loss 
rcci'ived  for  the 
1  inhabitant,  and 
irested  ourselves, 
ion,  and  not  the 
e  said  Francois 
be,  and  that  ho 
r  habitation,  the 
r,  the  sum  often 
es  the  quit  rent 

I  case  tlw;  said 

e,  or  habitation, 

present  conces- 

and  conditions 

'afard,  his  heira 

II  and  trade  as 
nself  to  the  re- 


Cadfllac. 
ing  of  France ; 
Be  le<;al  grants 
racts  back  con- 
made  to  French 
but  it  appears 
ting  of  France, 


stay  n  :.e9ptt8» 
posts  in  Michi' 

'  Order  of  St. 
ino;  the  duty  of 
act'. 

imen,  that  the 
lable  necessity 
i  Cahncier,  an 
'bed  under  the 
mill.  It  is  ea> 
1  towards  his 
i  water  has  its 
This  mill  was 
antlant  in  this 
icession  of  the 


s™.. .  p.r.r ;./.;, ot'h","^  ™'r°  ""■  '■•"••"''  "'■'"•  s"-"" 


"Pierre  Rhf.aume, 
Chapoto.v, 
Le  Grand, 

Jean  Baptistr  Mallet, 
Zacinthe  Reaume, 
Cecire, 
Jean  Pilet, 

Ja<IUES    GoDDEr.TE, 

Nicholas  Lenoir, 
Laurent  Parknt, 
J 


Jaques  Cardinal, 
Carle  Moran, 
Belle  Perche, 
Widow  f'AnRON, 
Antoine  Campeab, 
Jean  Borde, 

Jean  Baptiste  Campeacx, 
La  Butte, 
Jean  Mil  Homme, 
Barthe, 
Blondeau." 


"  Done  at  Detroit,  the  30th  June,  1753 

«  A  ff„-  k     •  .    „  "  Landrieve,  Celoron. 

be  i^:;::::^r::^:;JS^- order  thatthe  named  Campeaux 
n.on  of  Messrs.  Celoron  and  Land.ieve:  '  '  '"'"  '"  ''-"'  '"  '"^  "P'" 

"  Done  at  M.,   treal,  22d  August,  1753. 

"  Do   dUESMK." 


26th  M 
1771 


)qua 


Note  Vl.—Page  12C. 

'■.0,1,  .,o„.,l.|,|,„eet  do„„„  de  „„,re  volonie  „„e  ,e„!  d^ 
jours  afin  nu'il  ait  som  de  nnx  ,n  7.  donnons  celte  terre  pou  tou. 

L ».  „,:  .;- 1":  z ;,r„rd:;rLr '""-  -  ••»■ 

unknown  totem,  tt  , 

„  '  Unknown, 

OCIATENNI,  ri., 

TT„1  'JfABIDCCHIOOI, 

Unknown  jt  i 

^.  Unknown, 

MATCHEOCEOt;iFFE,  KlOGOCET, 


840 


APrexuix. 


4f^ 


Unknown, 
Chiuanaoo, 
Two  Arrow», 

KlA, 

Unknown, 
IVIahi^abifit, 
A  Doer, 

EsKIBI, 


A   Fish, 
Hanclouis, 
An  Elk, 
Oachig, 

Unknown, 
Alchima, 

Singoin, 

NiNTA. 


Rotifie  par  L'honorable  Henry  Banset,  Major  Commandant  au  Detroit,  La 
quinzo  jmliei,  1772,  presence  de  Mr.  George  McDougall,  el  le  CliefsPoute- 
owateinis,  et  llobnrt  Navarre  fils  mis  en  ponenion  dans  lea  forme  presenter  au 
nom  de  sa  Mujosfie,  ct  conformemcnl  aux  ordres  do  son  Excellence. 


Note  Vll—Pagc  IGG. 

A  theatt  of  peace  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  tribes 
of  Indians  called  ilieWyandots,  Delawnres,  Shawnces,  Oitawas.  Chippewas, 
Potawatamies,  Miamis,  Ecll  River,  Weeas,  Kitkapoos,  Kankashaws  and  Kaa 
kaskics. 

To  put  an  end  to  a  destructive  war,  to  settle  all  controversies,  and  to  restore 
harmony  and  a  frii^ndly  intercourne  between  the  said  United  States  and  Indian 
tribes:  Anthony  Wayne,  Major-Geiieral,  commanding  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  and  sole  commissioner  for  the  good  pnrposes  ahove-menlioned,  and  iho 
snid  tribes  of  Indians  by  iheir  sachems,  chiefs,  and  warriors,  met  together 
at  Greenville,  the  head-qnaiters  of  the  said  army,  have  agreed  on  the  following 
Articles,  which,  when  ratified  by  iho  President  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
the  senate  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  binding  on  them  and  the  said  Indian 
tribes. 

Article  I. — Henceforth  all  hostilities  shall  cease;  peace  is  hereby  esta- 
blished, and  shall  be  perpetual  ;  and  a  friendly  intercourse  shall  lake  place  be- 
tween the  said  United  States  and  Indian  tribes. 

Article  2. — All  prisoners  shall  on  both  sides  be  restored.  The  Indians,  prison- 
ers to  the  United  Stales,  shall  be  immediately  set  at  liberty.  The  people  of 
the  United  States  still  remaining  prisoners  among  the  Indians,  shall  be  deli- 
vered up,  in  ninety  days  from  the  date  hereof,  to  the  General  or  commanding 
ollicer  at  Greenville,  Fort  Wayne,  or  Fort  Defiance  ;  and  ten  chiefs  of  the  said 
tribes  shall  remain  at  Greenville  as  hostages,  until  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners 
shall  be  effected. 

Article  3. — The  general  boundary  line  between  the  lands  of  the  United 
States  and  tiie  lands  of  the  said  Indian  tribes,  shall  begin  at  the  mouth  of 
Wyalioga  river,  and  run  thence  up  the  same  to  the  portage  between  that  and 
the  Tiiscaroras  branch  of  the  Muskingum  ;  thence  down  that  branch  to  the 
crossing  place  above  Fort  Lawrence,  thence  westerly  to  a  hart  of  that  branch  of 
the  Great  Miami  River,  running  into  the  Ohio  at  or  near  which  Kerk  stood, 
Loromie's  store,  and  where  commences  the  portage  between  the  Miami  of  the 
Ohio  and  St.  Mary's  River,  which  is  a  branch  of  the  Miami  which  runs  in- 
to Lake  Erie  ;  thence  a  wcstciiy  course  to  Fort  Recovery,  which  stands  on 
a  branch  of  the  Wabash,  thence  south-westerly  in  a  direct  line  to  the  Ohio, 
80  as  to  intersect  that  river   opposite  the  mouth  of  Kentucky  or  Cattawa 


APPENDIX, 


341 


Detroit,  La 
^JhefsPouto- 
^rescnter  au 


id  the  tribes 
Ciiippewan, 
W8  and  Kas 

id  to  restore 
I  and  Indian 
fthe  United 
led,  and  iho 
let  together 
he  following 
I  consent  of 
said  Indian 

lercby  esta- 
te place  be- 

ians,  prison- 
he  people  of 
hall  be  deli- 
lommanding 
8  of  the  said 
he  prisoners 

the  United 
e  mouth  of 
en  that  and 
anch  to  the 
lat  branch  of 
tterk  stood, 
liami  of  the 
lich  runs  in- 
1  stands  on 
o  the  Ohio, 
or  Cattawa 


Rivpr.  And,  in  consideration  of  the  peace  now  cstablinhe.f,  of  the  gnods 
formerly  rt-ceivud  from  the  United  StatcH,  of  those  now  to  be  d.liverod  and  of 
the  yearly  delivery  of  goods  now  stipulated  to  he  made  her.altoi- j  and  to  in- 
d.^mnify  the  United  States  for  the  injuries  and  expenses  lliey  have  sustained 
during  the  war ;  the  said  Indian  tribes  do  hereby  cede  and  relinquish  for 
ever  all  their  claims  to  the  lands  lying  eastwardly  and  southwardly  of  tho 
general  boundary  line  now  described  ;  and  those  lands,  or  any  part  of  them, 
shall  never  hereafter  be  mode  a  cause  or  pretence,  on  the  part  of  the  said 
tubes,  or  any  of  thoin,  of  war  or  injury  to  tho  United  States  or  any  of  the 
people  thereof. 

And  for  the  same  considerations,  and  as  an  evidence  of  the  returning  friend- 

ship  of  ihe  said  Indian  tribes,  of  their  confidence  in  the  United  States,  "and  de- 

sire  to  provide  for  their  accommodation,  and  for  that  convenient  intercourse 

which  will  be  beneficial  to  both  parties,  the  said  Indian  tribes  do  also  cede 

to  tho  United  States  the  following  pieces  of  land  ;  to  wit,  (I)  One  piece  of 

land,  SIX  miles  s-iuare,  at  or  near  Loromie's  store  before  mentioned  :  (2)  one 

piece  two  miles  square  at  tho  head  of  the  navigable  water  or  landin-  on  the 

St.  Mary's  River,  near  Giity's  town  :  (3)  one  piece  six  miles  square,  at  the  head 

of  the  navigable  water  of  the  AuGlaize  river:  (4)  one  piece  six  miles  square  at 

the  confluence  of  the  Au  Cilaize  and  Miami  river,  where  Fort  Defiance  now 

stands:   (3)  one  piece,  six  miles  square,  at  or  near  the  confluence    of   the 

rivers  St.  Mary's  and  St.  Jo«eph's,  where  Fort  Wayne  now  stands,  or  near  it  • 

(6)  one  piece,  two  miles  square,  on  the  Wabash  River,  at  the  end  of  the  porta-re 

from  tiic  Miami  of  the  Lake,  and   about  eight   miles  westward  from   Fort 

Wayne:  (7)  one  piece,  six  miles  square, as  the  Ouatanon,  or  old  Weea  towns 

on  the  Wabash  River:   (8)  one  piece,  twelve  miles  square,  at  the  British  Fort 

on  the  Miami  of  tho  Lake  at  the  foot  of  the  Rapids:   (9)  one  piece,  six  miles 

square,  at  the  mouth  of  the  said  river,  where  it  empties  into  the  lake:   (10) 

one    piece  six  miles  square,  upon  Sandusky   Lake,  where   a   fort  foimerly 

stood:   (II)  one  piece,  two    miles  square,  at  the  lower  rapids  of  Sandusky 

River:  (12)  the  Post  of  Detroit,  and  all  the  land  to  the  north,  the  west,  and 

the  south  of  it,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extinguished   by  gifts  or 

grunts  to  the  French  or  English   governments :  and  so  much  more  fund  to 

be  annexed  to  the  District  ot  Detroit  as  shall  be  comprehended   between  the 

River  Rosine  on  the  south.  Lake  St.  Clair  on  the  north,  and  a  line,  the  gene- 

ral  course  whereof  shall  be  six  miles  distant  from  the  west  end  of  Lake'^Erie 

and    Detroit    River:    (13)    the  post  of    Michilimackinac,   and   all   the   land 

on  the  island  on  which  that  post  stands,  and    the    main    land    adjacent    of 

which  the  Indian  title    has    been    extinguished    by    gifts    or   grants    to  the 

French  or  English   Governments  ;    and    a   piece  of  land    on    the    main   to 

the  north  of  the  island,  to  measure  six  miles  on  Lake  Huron,  or  the  strait 

between  Lake  Huron  and  Michigan,  and  to  extend  three  miles  hack    from 

the  water  of   the   lake  or  strait ;    aid  also  the  island  de  Bois  Blanc,  being 

an    extra  and  voluntary  gift  of  the    Chippewa  nation  :    (14)  one    piece   of 

land,  of  six  miles  square,  at  the  mouth  of  Chikajo  River,  empiyins  into  the 

south-west  end  of  Lake    Michigan,  where  a   fort  formerly  stood:  "(15)    one 

piece,  twelve  miles  square,  at  or  near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  emptying 

into  the  Mississippi :   (16)  one  piece,  six  miles  square,  at  the  old  Piorias  fort 


I 


m 


342 


APPENDIX. 


and  village  near  the  south  end  of  the  Illinois  Lake  on  aaid  lUinoia  River  ;  and 
whenever  the  United  States  shall  think  proper  to  survey  and  mark  the  bound- 
aries of  the  land  hereby  cflded  to  »hcm,  they  shall  give  timely  notice  thereof 
to  the  aaid  tribes  of  Indians,  that  they  may  appoint  some  of  their  wise  chiefs  to 
attend,  and  see  that  the  lines  are  run  according  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty. 

And  the  said  Indian  tnbi;  •  vill  allow  to  the  people  of  the  United  States  a  free 
passage  by  land  and  by  vv»  .tr,  as  one  and  the  other  shall  be  found  convenient, 
through  their  country,  alon^  *he  chain  of  posts  herein  before  mentioned  ;  that 
is  to  say,  from  the  commencement  of  the  portage  aforesaid  at  or  near  Loromie's 
store  ;  thence  along  the  said  portage  to  the  St.  Marys,  and  down  the  same  to 
Fort  Wayne,  and  then  down  the  Miami  to  Lake  Erie.  Again,  from  the  com- 
mencament  of  the  portage  at  or  near  Loromie's  store  along  the  portage  ;  from 
thence  to  the  river  Au  Glaize,  and  down  the  same  to  its  junction  with  the  Mia- 
mi at  Fort  Defiance.  Again,  from  the  commencement  of  the  portage  to  San- 
dusky River,  and  down  the  same  to  Sandusky  Bay  and  Lake  Erie  ;  and  from 
Sandusky  to  the  post  which  shall  be  taken  at  or  near  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of 
the  Miami  of  the  Lake  ;  and  from  thence  to  Detroit.  Again,  from  the  mouth 
of  Chikago  to  the  commencement  of  the  portage  between  that  river  and  the  Illi- 
nois, and  down  the  Illinois  River  to  the  Mississippi ;  also  from  Fort  Wayne 
along  the  portage  aforesaid  which  leads  to  the  Wabash,  and  then  down  the 
Wabash  to  the  Ohio.  And  the  aaid  Iridinn  tribes  will  also  allow  to  the  people 
of  the  United  Slates  the  free  use  of  the  htirbora  and  moutha  of  rivers  along 
the  lakes  adjoining  the  Indian  landa,  for  sheltering  vessels  and  boats,  and  liber- 
ty to  land  their  cargoes  when  necessary  for  their  safety. 

Article  4.  In  consideration  of  the  peace  now  established,  and  of  the  ces- 
faions  and  relinquishments  of  land  made  in  the  preceding  article  by  the  said 
tribes  of  Indians,  {ind  to  manifest  the  liberality  of  the  United  States  as  the  great 
means  of  rendering  this  peace  strong  and  perpetual,  the  United  States  relin- 
quish their  claims  to  all  other  Indian  li-nds  northward  of  the  river  Ohio,  east- 
ward of  the  Mississippi,  and  westward  and  southward  of  the  great  lakes,  and 
the  water?  uniting  them,  according  to  the  boundary  line  agreed  on  by  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  the  treaty  of  peace  made  between 
them  ill  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-lhree. 

But  from  this  relinquii*hmeni  by  the  United  Slates  the  following  tracts  of 
land  are  explicitly  excepted  : 

1st.  The  Tract  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thi  aand  acres  near  the  rapids  of 
the  river  Ohio,  which  has  been  assigned  to  General  Clark  for  the  use  of  himself 
and  his  warriors. 

2nd.  The  Post  of  .St.  Vincennes,  on  the  river  Wabash,  and  the  lands  adja- 
cent,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extinguished. 

3r(l.  The  Landa  at  all  other  places  in  possession  of  the  French  people,  and 
other  white  settlers  among  thorn,  of  which  the  Indian  title  has  been  extinguish- 
ed as  mentioned  in  the  third  article  ;  and, 

4th.  The  Post  of  Fort  Massae,  towards  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio.  To  which 
several  parcels  of  land  so  excepted,  the  said  tribes  relinquish  all  the  title  and 
claim  which  they  or  any  of  them  may  have. 

And  for  the  same  considerations,  and  with  the  same  views  as  above  men- 
tioned, the  United  States  now  deliver  to  the  said  Indian  tribes  a  quantity  of 


APPENDIX. 


343 


herebvaeit        >  T  ''r'""'  '°""^'  "'^  '"^-'P'  -''ereof  they  do 

he  eby  acknowledge  ,  and  henceforward  every  year  for  ever,  the  United  sL-s 
will  deliver,  ut  some  convenient  place  northward  of  the  river  Ohio  like  useful 

nv.  hundred  dollars,-  reckon.ng  that  value  as  the  first  cost  of  the  goods  in 
ihe   f  °7'rr'"'^  ^"'^'^'^  «^"'^«  -h-«  they  shall  he  procured'     The 

am  1  ofVn!  h  '7  n''  "'  ''^  '■°"""''"»  =     '^'-  ^^  ''^^  ^yandots  the 

Z        //n  '"^  ^°"'''''-     ^"'^^  '^^  the  Delawares  the  amount  of  one 

TothtM;:-     't^<''^««'^™  the  amount  of  one  thousand  dollar:^ 
4th.  To  the  M.amaa  the  amount  of  one  thousand  dollars.     5th.  To  the  Otto- 
Was  the  amount  of  one  thousand  dollars.     6th.  To  the  Chippewas  th    amo ^t 
nd  d    .:r    8th    t"  ., '' K?  '"  ^otawattamies  the  amount  of  one  thou- 

KaskaskK    ;  K     \  '"P""'  ^"''''  ^'^"  River,  Kankaahaws,  and 

Kaskaskias  tribes,  the  amount  of  five  hundred  dollars  each 

verv"oTte'rT;r  ''  r'.T  "'  ',"  7'  ''''''  ^''""  •>'^'--''^-'  »^  ^  -"-'  ^^11- 
shL  be  fl-  h  H  ?'  g^-'^^fo^-ai.l  desire  that  a  part  of  their  annuity 
should  be  furnished  m  domestic  animals,  implements  of  husbandry,  and  other 
utensds  convenient  for  them,  and  in  compensation  to  useful  art.ficers  vho  may 

ZslZe^'r  ':7r'  '^  ""P'"^'-"^  '■"^  '''^^  ^-^"^'  ^'^  same  shall  It 
the  subsequent  annual  deliveries  be  furnished  accordingly 

^.'"^'l^'  J°  P'"'^^''"' ^"y  misunderstanding  about°the  Indian  lands  relin- 
quished  by  the  United  States  in  the  fourth  article,  it  is  now  explicitly  declaed 
tht  the  meaning  of  that  relinquishment  is  this:  The  Indian  tibes,  who  hT.a 
a  nght  to  those  lands,  are  quietly  to  enjoy  them  ;  hunting,  planting,  and  d„'! 

S  al  ri'  'k  .^  "  '''^  P'^^^*'  "'^''°"'  ''"y  -"'-tation  from"  the  Un  ted 
States  ;  but  when  those  tribes,  or  any  of  them,  shall  be  disposed  to  sell  the'r 
an  s  or  any  part  of  them  they  arc  to  be  sold  only  to  the  u'Tited  States  and 
un     such  sales  the  United  States  will  protect  all  the  said  Indian  tnbes  i^  the 

al^  st"-'M"iK  .;  ■■  '"''  "'"''''  ^"  ''''""^  '''  '^'  ^^"'ted  States,  and 
aganst  oil  other  wh.e  persons  who  inf.ude  upon  the  same;  and  the  said  I  dian 
tribes  again  acknowledge  themselves  to  be  under  the  protection  of  the  Un.  ed 
States,  and  no  other  power  whatever.  ^'^umieu 

Article  6  If  any  citizen  of  the  Uniled  States,  or  any  other  white  person  or 
per  ons,  shall  presume  to  settle  upon  the  lands  now  relinquished  by  the  uTited 
Sta  es,  such  citizen  or  other  person  shall  be  out  of  the  protection  o'  the  U  ited 

drive  off  the  settler,  or  pumsh  him  in  such  u  manner  as  th. y  shall  think  fit  •  and 
because  such  settlements,  made  without  the  consent  of  the  United  States'  wm 
be  injurious  .o  them  as  well  as  to  the  Indians,  the  United  States  shall  be  ^til 
berty  to  breaK  them  up,  and  remove  and  punish  the  settlers  as  they  shall  think 
'Ttlir?  -  ,ff /.•^f^  P-'-f "  of  the  Indian  landsherem  beforl  st.piilat  d 

fc  tl\     ll      .K  "  °^  ^"''""''  P"^'''^^  '°  this  treaty,  shall  be  a  liberty 

to  hunt  w.thin  the  territory  and  lands  which  they  have  now  ceded  to  the  Un  2 
States  v^ithouthmdrance  or  molestation,  so  long  as  they  demean  thrmse  vis 
peaceably,  and  offer  no  injury  to  the  people  of  the-  United  States  """''''"' 
Article  8.  Trade  shall  be  opened  with  the  said  Ii.dian  tribes",  and  they  do 
hereby  rospecUvely  engage  ,o  afford  protection  to  such  persons,  with  their  pro! 


Ui 


W"^ 


344 


APPENDIX. 


# 


i 


perty,  as  shall  be  duly  licensed  to  reside  among  them,  for  the  purpose  of  trade, 
and  to  their  agents  and  sf-rvants  :  but  nn  person  shall  he  permiltcd  to  reside 
p.t  any  of  (heir  towns  or  hunting  camps  as  a  tiaHor,  wlio  is  not  furnished  with  a 
license  fur  tiiat  purpose  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  the  superintenoant  of  the 
department  norlh-we.^t  of  the  Ohio,  or  such  other  persons  as  the  President  of 
the  United  Slates  shall  authorize  to  examine  such  liccns'  a,  to  ihe  end  that  the 
said  Ind'uns  may  not  be  imposed  on  in  their  Iniile;  nmi  if  any  licen-rd  (lader 
shall  abuse  his  privilege  by  imfair  dealing,  upon  comjilamt  aru'  proof  thereof 
his  license  shall  be  taken  from  him,  and  he  shall  be  further  punished  accoidmg 
to  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  And  if  any  person  shall  intrude  himself  aa 
a  trader  without  such  license,  the  said  Indians  shall  take  and  bring  him  before 
the  superintendant  or  his  deputy,  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  law  ;  and  to  pre- 
vent impositions  by  forged  licenses,  the  said  Indians  shall,  at  bust  once  a  year, 
give  information  to  the  superintendant  or  his  deputies  of  the  names  of  the  tra- 
ders residing  amonj  them. 

Article  9.  Lest  the  firm  peace  and  friendship  now  established  should  be  in- 
terrupted by  the  misconduct  of  mdividnals,  the  United  States  and  the  said 
Indian  tribes  agree,  that  for  injuries  done  by  imfividunls  on  eirh.  r  side  no  pri- 
vate revenge  or  retaliation  shall  take  place  ;  but,  instead  th.-reof,  complamt  shall 
be  made  by  the  party  injured  to  the  other, —by  th"  said  Indian  trilx  b  or  any  of 
them  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  the  superintendant  by  him  ap- 
pointed  ;  and  by  the  superintendant  or  other  person  appointed  by  the  President, 
to  the  principal  Chiefs  of  the  Indian  tribes,  or  of  the  tribe  to  which  the  offender 
belongs  ;  and  such  prudent  measures  shall  then  be  puisued,  as  shall  he  neces- 
sary to  jreserve  the  said  peace  and  friendship  unbroken,  until  the  Legislature 
(or  Great  Council,)  of  the  United  States  shall  make  other  equitable  provision 
in  the  case  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties.  Should  any  Indiin  tnbf  s  medi- 
tate a  war  against  the  United  States,  or  either  of  them,  and'  Ihe  same  shall  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  before-mentioned  tribes  or  either  of  them,  thev  do  Isere- 
by  engage  to  give  notice  thereof  to  the  General  or  officer  commanding  the 
troops  of  the  United  States  at  the  nearest  post.  A  nd  should  any  tribe,  with  hos- 
tile intentions  against  the  United  States,  or  either  of  them,  attempt  to  pmm 
through  their  country,  they  will  endeavor  to  prevent  the  same  ;  and  in  like  man- 
ner  give  information  of  such  attempt  to  the  General  or  officer  commanding  aa 
soon  as  possible,  that  all  causes  of  mistrust  and  suspicion  may  be  avoided^bc- 
tween  them  and  the  United  Stales. 

In  like  manner  the  United  States  shall  give  notice  to  the  said  Indian  tribes  of 
any  harm  that  may  be  meditated  against  them,  or  either  of  them,  that  shall 
come  their  knowledge  ;  and  do  all  in  their  power  to  hinder  and  prevent  the 
same,  that  the  friendship  between  them  may  be  uninterrupted. 

Article  10.  All  other  treaties  heretofore  made  b-tweon  the  United  States  and 
the  said  Indian  tribes,  or  any  of  them,  since  the  treaty  of  1783  between  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  Great  Britain,  that  come  within  the  provisions  of  this  treaty, 
ehall  henceforth  cease  and  become  void. 

Done  at  Greenville,  in  the  territory  of  the  United  Slates,  north-west  of  the 
river  Ohio,  on  the  third  day  of  August,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
ninety-five. 

Anthont  Watnb,  (L.  S.> 


APPENDIX. 


343 


Note  VII[,—Pa»-<  219. 
Early  Travellers  through  the  Lakes. 

be'^i^LTTf  '''"f<=°^«'-y''"-«"g»' the  region  of  the  north-western  lakes  may 
be  dated  back  to  a  d.stant  penod.  The  sources  of  our  information  have  bZ 
.ncreased  from  t.me  to  fme  by  numerous  adventurers  who  pubhshed  journal; 
othe,r  travels    Among  those  volumes  to  which  reference  has  here  been  made 

Tere  LtiLi     ""  "'""  ^'"'""^  '°  "^^  ^^"  ''''^  °"^  ^  "^^  ^^  ^^^^  *• 

and  was  one  of  a  party  which  explored  the  Mississippi  River,  and  orioinall J 
accompanied  La  Salle  from  France.  The  journal  which  he  published  ff^« 
travels  throws  hght  on  the  condition  of  Canada. 

The  Baron  La  Hontan,  a  French  soldier  in  the  employment  of  the  French 

Government,  was  for  some  time  commandant  of  a  fort  on  the  lakes.     In  ms 

e  pubhshed  m  London  his  voynges  to  North  America,  in  which  he  .   sty  ed 

This  wor^  ?     ""  "^""'^  ^°'°"-^  "^  ^'•''=^"^-  '"  Newfoundland  » 

tllhTn''  '"  '—lames;  it  abounds  m  graphic  sketches,  and  aU 

shS  rbseTair"  ^^"""■^^'  ^^'''^'^  '""^'^  '"°^'^^»-  °^  '"^^  --'^  -<i 

tir!Cnnh    ^  of  U,e  American  lakes  in  1721  under  the  auspices  of 

th  .  t  rench  government.    The  Mississippi  scheme  was  then  creatin..  areat  J 
atement,  and  individuals  were  engaged  in  seeking  gold  and  silver  inl^    stna 

!!      Trt       '^"""'  ^'''"  ''"'"'  H"^°"'^"^  M-higan.    He  then  de 
s  ended   he  Illinois  and  Mississippi  to  New  Orleans,  which^ad  been    hen  re. 
cent^y  settled  ;  and  he  there  embarked  for  Prance.    Beside  a  General  H    torv 

the  lakes.     These  works  bear  the  stamp  of  a  rich  and  well-regulated  mind 
and^are  written  m  a  style  of  great  beauty  and  eloquence.    Charfevoix  di"  .^ 

Robert  Rogers  was  a  citizen  of  New  Hampshire.     He  was  a  sturdy  and  ad 
venturous  so  dier,  and  for  some  time  Governor  of  Michil.m^kinarTo  him 
was  entrusted  the  expedition  which  was  sent  out  by  Gen.  Amherst  after  Vh? 
.urrender  of  Michigan  by  France  to  England  in  ,7'59.    fifsrd    r;    le    i 
tied  ;  A  Concise  Account  of  North  America,"  .',0  published  a  journal  of  1  "x 
pedi  u.n  to  Detroit  when  he  took  possession  of  the  po.sts  of  Michigan 

Alexander  Henry,  Esq.  visited  the  lakes  in  1760,  and  spent  sixt^een  vear«  in 
^aversing  the  wilderness  of  the  north-west.  He'  publiLd  Ins  ^e'rvaZ 
upon  the  country  in  1809.  ooaervaiiona 

Jonathan  Carver  was  decended  from  a  family  in  Connecticut,  and  was  d.« 
in^nshed  for  a  persevering  and  adventurous  mind.    The  date  ^f  his  travels^ 
1^..  1777  and  17:8 ;  and  the  result  of  his  observations  was  published  nU^ 
*»,  and  afterwards  republished  in  this  country. 

41 


346 


APPENDIX. 


Note  IX. 

BT  WILLIAM  HULL, 

Brigadier-general  ttod  Commander-in-chief  of  the  North-western  army  of  the 
United  States. 

A   PROCLAMATION. 

Inhabitants  of  Canada, 

After  thirty  years  of  peace  and  prosperity,  the  United  States  have  been  dri- 
ven ♦  1  arms.  The  injuries  and  aggressions,  the  insults  and  indignities  of  Great 
Britam,  have  left  them  no  alternative  but  maniy  resistance  or  unconditional  sub- 
miiSsion.  The  army  under  my  command  has  invaded  your  country,  end  tho 
standard  of  the  Union  now  waves  over  the  territory  of  Canada.  To  the  peaceable, 
unoffending  inhabitants  it  brings  neither  danger  nor  difficulty.  1  come  to  find 
enemies,  not  to  make  them  ;  I  come  to  protect,  not  to  injure  you.  Separated 
by  an  immense  ocean  and  an  extensive  wilderness  from  Great  Britain,  you 
have  no  participation  in  her  councils,  no  interest  in  her  conduct ;  you  have  felt 
her  tyranny,  you  have  seen  her  injustice  ;  but  I  do  not  ask  you  to  revenge  the 
one  or  to  redress  the  other.  The  United  States  are  sufficiently  powerful  to  af- 
ford every  security  consistent  with  their  rights  and  your  expectations.  I  tender 
you  the  invaluable  blessing  of  civil,  political,  and  religious  liberty  ;  and  their 
necessary  result,  individual  and  general  prosperity.  That  liberty  which  gave 
decision  to  our  councils  and  energy  to  our  conduct  in  a  struggle  for  independ- 
ence, and  which  conducted  us  safe  and  triumphantly  through  the  stormy  peri- 
od of  the  revolution.  That  liberty  which  has  raised  us  to  an  elevated  rank 
among  the  nations  of  the  world,  and  which  afforded  us  a  greater  measure  of 
peace,  and  security  of  wealth,  and  improvement,  than  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  any 
country.  In  the  name  of  my  country,  and  by  the  authority  of  Government,  1 
promise  you  protection  to  your  persons,  property,  and  rights.  Remain  at  your 
homes  ;  pursue  your  peaceful  and  customary  avocations  ;  raise  not  your  hand 
against  your  brethren.  Many  of  your  fathers  fought  for  the  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence we  now  enjoy.  Being  children,  therefore,  of  the  same  family  with  us, 
and  heirs  to  the  same  heritage,  the  arrival  of  an  army  of  friends  must  be  hailed 
by  you  with  a  cordial  welcome.  You  will  be  emancipated  from  tyranny  and 
oppression,  and  restored  to  the  dignified  station  of  freemen.  Had  I  any  doubt 
of  eventual  success,  I  might  ask  your  assistance ;  but  I  do  not ;  I  come  prepared 
for  every  contingency.  I  have  a  force  which  will  look  down  all  opposition, 
and  that  force  is  the  van-guard  of  a  much  greater.  If,  contrary  to  your  own 
interest  and  the  just  expectation  of  my  country,  you  should  take  part  in  thi  ap- 
proaching contest,  you  will  be  considered  and  treated  as  enemies ;  and  the  hor- 
rors and  calamities  of  war  will  stalk  before  you.  If  the  barbarous  and  savage 
policy  of  Great  Britain  be  pursued,  and  the  savages  be  let  loose  to  murder  our 
citizens  and  butcher  our  women  and  children,  this  war  will  be  a  war  of  exter- 
mination. The  first  stroke  of  the  tomahawk,  tho  "irst  attempt  with  the  scalp- 
ing-knife,  will  be  the  sequel  of  one  indiscriminate  src-'o  of  desolation.  No 
white  man  found  fighting  by  tho  side  of  an  Indian  w'M  bo  lai.cn  prisoner ;  in- 
stant destruction  will  be  his  lot.  If  the  dictates  ot  -eaflo-i  duty,  justice,  and 
humanity  cannot  prevent  tho  employment  of  a  force  which  respects  no  rights 
and  knows  no  wrong,  it  will  be  prevented  by  a  severe  and  reientless  system  of 
retaliation.    1  doubt  not  your  courage  and  firmness  ;  I  will  not  doubt  your  at- 


APPENDIX. 


347 


tachment  to  liberty.    The  United  States  offer  you  peace  libertv  «nJ 
your  choice  lies  between  these,  and  war.  sl^4ZTel^.:^n^lZ7^^ 
but  choose  w.8cly ;  and  may  Ho  who  knows  the  justice  of  our  caus^   and  wh  ' 
holds  .n  h,a  hands  the  fate  of  nations,  guide  you  to  a  result  the  most  colaU 
ble  with  your  rights  and  interests,  your  peace  and  happiness.  ^ 

By  the  General, 
_    ,  .      ^  A.  P.  Hull. 

Captam  of  the  )3th  U.  S.  Reg't.  of  Infantry  and  Aid-de-Camp. 
Head-duarters,  Sandwich,  July  12th,  1812. 


Note  X, 

That  portion  of  our  State  usually  denominated  the  Peninsula,  while  few  if 
any,  port.ons  o  U,  are  of  so  rugged  a  character  as  to  prevent  its  u  e  for  the  p^  - 
IT  U  T'T''  "'  "--"-'-^.  f"  f™-  what  was  once  supposed  a  le"l 
str  troftr  P'""'  'T''''  -"-^'"g'--  'he  most  partof  nearly  horizonta 
strata  of  hmestones  sandstones,  and  shales,  give  character  to  a  beautifully  va- 
ned  succession  of  hills  and  valleys,  as  also  to  a  soil  admirably  adapted  to  the 
purpos  s  of  agriculture.     It  is  surrounded  by  a  level  belt  of  country,  whch 

fn  width  V  T  "  =7'"  ''"^"°"  "'  "^  ''''''''  '"-"'^^  'he  interior.'Cng 
m  width  from  five  to  fo.ty  miles,  and  miles,  and  for  the  most  part  covered  lith 
a  dense  forest ;  wnile  the  interior  and  more  undulating  portions  give  2170  a 
vaned  succession  of  prairie,  oak  openings  and  timbered  lands.      ^ 

This  general  description,  which  may  be  supposed  to  apply  more  particu- 
larly to  hose  counties  of  the  state  already  organized,  will,  I  have  no  doubt  ap. 
ply  nearly  equally  well  to  that  portion  of  the  state  ^ot  y^  surveyed  dluda 
to  his  the  more  particularly,  since  the  opinion  is  abroad  among  our  cit  ens 
It  .he  nor  hern  portions  of  our  state  are  of  little  or  no  value,  except  for  I  m 
be^and  that  .t  cons.sts  of  alternating  barren  ridges  of  pine  and  marl 

This  opinion  so  far  as  the  country  has  been  examined,  and  from  the  best  in- 
formation which  can  be  obtained  on  the  subject,  is  far  fro  n  the  truth     l  r 
whi  e  It  embraces  like  the  southern  counties,  fairies  "ak  open  ng    I'd  ia^nd^ 
.mbcred  with  hard  wood,  many  of  those  portions  timbered  with  ptn  ,  i^  is  con 
ceived,  will  eventually  prove  of  groat  value  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view. 

rh™^'"','  """!!".'  °\  '"■'""'  ''""'"=  '^''''  ^""^'^^^  '"  'he  central  portions  of 
the  pen  nsula,  and  di«chargmg  their  waters  in  every  direction  into  the  lakes  by 

sit.  ''r'T^"'^'  ^'""  '  P''"""  ^'''''''  '°  the  geography  of  the  country 
Several  of  these  streams  are  navigable  for  boats  of  light  draft  for  a  much  longi 
dis  ance  than  could  have  been  anticipated,  and  they  give  rise  to  an  amount  of 
hydraulic  power  far  exceeding  what  has  usually  been  supposed,  and  which  will 
eventually  prove  of  immense  value  to  our  state.  In  pursuing  the  investigation 
of  the  past  season,  I  have  found  it  necessary  to  examine  several  of  ihe  most  im- 
portant  of  these  streams  through  their  whole  extent,  and  I  could  not  fail  to  ob- 
serve the  great  purity  of  their  waters,  together  with  the  rapidity  of  their  des- 
cent. T  heir  sloping  banks,  which  are  usually  of  but  moderate  height,  are  com. 
posed  oi  the  richest  soil ;  but  occasionally  their  banks  attain,  at  an  inconsider- 


349 


appi:ni)ix. 


able  distance  from  the  stream,  an  altitude  of  from  one  liundred  to  two  hundred 
feet,  as  at  some  points  in  the  valley  of  Grand  river. 

Portions  of  the  central  and  most  elevated  counties  of  the  peninsula  are  con- 
siderably rough  and  broken,  though,  it  is  believed,  in  few  instances  sufficiently 
so  to  prevent  a  successful  cultivation  of  the  soil.  This  undulating  or  hilly  por. 
tion  of  our  state  extends  through  parts  of  the  counties  of  Hillsdale,  Jackson, 
Washtenaw,  Ingham,  Eaton,  Livingston,  Oakland,  Ionia,  Kent,  and  some  por- 
tions of  the  adjoining  counties  ;  as  also  far  to  the  north  of  Kent  county,  in  the  un- 
surveyed  district.  The  hills  do  not  appear  to  be  disposed  with  any  regularly 
formed  valleys,  but  consist  of  an  irregular  assemblage  of  somewhat  conical  ele- 
vations and  depressions,  occasionally  attaining  an  elevation  of  from  one  hundred 
and  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet,  but  ordinarily  not  more  than  from  thirty  to  forty 
feet. 

The  topography  of  that  portion  of  our  state  bordering  upon  Lake  Superior,  is 
very  different  from  that  of  the  peninsula.  The  occasional  appearance  of  pri- 
mary and  trap  rocks  forming  mountain  chains,  and  the  great  disturbance  which 
has  taken  place  since  the  deposition  of  the  red  sandstone,  has  given  to  the  wholo 
country  a  more  rugged  aspect;  and  while  many  of  the  valleys  and  elevated 
plains  furnish  a  rich  and  permanent  soil,  covered  with  a  dense  forest,  the  moun- 
tain  chains  of  primary  rock  have  all  the  meagreness  of  soil  usually  attendant 
on  these  formations. 

Upper  Sandstone  oftlie  Pe7iinsula. 

Occupying  the  central  and  most  elevated  portions  of  the  peninsula,  and  over 
a  large  district  of  country,  embracing  parts  of  the  counties  of  Hillsdale,  Jackson, 
Calhoun,  Kalamazoo,  Livingston,  Ingham,  Eaton,  Barry,  Shiawassee,  Clinton, 
the  eastern  part  of  Ionia,  and  probably  portions  of  the  adjoining  counties,  which 
want  of  time  did  not  permit  me  to  examme,  the  outcropping  edge  of  sandstone 
is  seen,  occasionally  alternating  with  shale.  Its  friable  nature  is  such  that  the 
rock  soon  becomes  covered  with  soil  from  disintegration  and  vegetable  depo- 
sites,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  conceal  it  from  view,  and  thus  to  have  led  our  ear- 
ly inhabitants  to  suppose  the  0|.pearance  of  rock  near  the  surface  to  be  of  rare 
occurrence ;  but  as  the  country  a^i  become  settled,  rock  has  been  found  near  the 
surface  in  hundreds  of  places  where  it  was  formerly  supposed  not  to  exist,  and 
it  may  be  fairly  inferred,  that  as  the  country  becomes  cultivated,  this  will  con- 
tinue to  be  the  resi)lt. 

This  rock  formation,  which  is  referable  to  the  carboniferous  series,  will,  with- 
out doubt,  bo  found  to  be  a  continuation  of  the  great  coal  measures  of  Ohio, 
and  present  appearances  would  seem  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that  it  extends 
nearly  or  quite  to  the  northern  termination  of  the  peninsula.  I  have  thus  for 
boen  unable  to  arrive  at  any  very  satisfactoi^y  conclusions  as  to  its  thickness  or 
general  inclination. 

Its  superficial  extent  has  undoubtedly  been  much  lessened  ;  fur,  after  passing 
the  edge  of  the  sindstone,  the  soil  is  invariably  found  to  contain  disintegratfd 
portions  of  the  rock,  with  occasional  loose  pieces  of  bituminous  coal,  the  latter 
sometimes  appearing  in  quantities  of  several  bushels  at  a  single  place. 

Portioni  of  the  sandstone  on  the  western  slope  of  the  peninsula,  more  particu- 
larly in  tha  countifls  of  Calhoun,  and  parts  of  Jackson  and  Hilis/^ale,  the  forma- 


ArPENDIX. 


849 


9 


d  stncts  of  country,  a  result  wl.ich  could  scarcely  be  conceived  to  l.ave  taken 
P  ace  by  any  other  than  rapid  and  irregular  motion.  The  original  continu.ty  of 
8  rata  ,s  almost  completely  destroyed,  and  so  much  is  the  rock  shattered  that 
at  several  points  m  Calhoun  county,  wells  were  seen  sunk  through  tWrock 
from  twenty  to  forty  feet,  and  where  the  excavation  required  but  little  more  labor 
than  would  have  been  required  to  sink  through  an  equal  depth  of  earth.  The 
maeses  of  rock  thrown  out  rarely  exceed  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in  superfical 

tinnTlV^h  ""T  ""''  "^^  ''""""  ''^'  '  ^'"'>  "'""Sh  so  much  broken,  no  por- 
t  ons  of  the  rock  were  much  inclined,  and  .t  appeared  to  have  retamed  measur- 

rock  nfu^      nTT'^u  P°'"'°"-    ^^'  ""^"'**=*=«  '^'^^^«*="  t'"'^"  portions  of 

h  result  ;r"M  "f  """'''  "''"*' ''''  ''''  ^'''^"''''  «"''"  '''-"gh  them, 
the  result  of  which  >s,  the  appearance,  at  particular  points,  of  larc'esprin-.s  of 
water,  and  a  paucity  of  small  streams  upon  the  surface. 

Near  Jonesville,  in  Hill.dale  county,  several  quarries  of  sandstone  have  been 
opened,  but  not  sumc.ently  to  g.vo  very  much  mformation  of  their  true  conclifion" 
fTurinT'^^i  r"'  f  "  '°°'*'  ""'^  ^"'^^'  ""^"^''' '»"''  'he  layers  from  two  to 
fZ.  te!T  T     .      ;"  =  ?"'  "'"^  ''^  '''''"''''"'  ^"^^^  ^''-  -'-d  to  -  depth  of 

Ir  of  t         t"r       •  "''^''"""  "  "'"'"'''^  ''^"^"^'y  --^  <■-'.  ^-'^  the  char- 
acter of  the  rock,  for  economicol  purposes,  is  much  improved. 

At  Napoleon,  in  Jackson  county,  the  sandstone  appears  at  numerous  points, 
J.av,ng  a  shght  mclmation  south-westerly.  It  is  composed  of  angular  grains  of 
quar,.ose  sand,  united  by  a  very  slight  calcareous  dent.  The  ston'eTof  a 
good  quality  for  architectural  purposes,  and  admits  of  being  easily  quarried.  It 
has  already  been  considerably  used  for  buildings,  grindstones,  &c. 

In  descending  Grand  river,  the  rock  appears  again  at  Jacksonburgh,  and  over 
many  milesof  the  surrounding  country.havngaslightdip,  like  that  at  Napo 

vicinity  of  Jacksonburgh,  and  a  finely  shaped  and  tolerably  compact  and  durable 
material  for  bu.hl.ng,  furnished.  I  here  first  noticed  fossil  vegetable  remains, 
chiefly  referable  to  the  genera  Lepidodendron,  Stigmaria,  and  Calamites,  to- 
gether with  small  masses  of  carbonaceous  matter,  associated  with  the  sand  rock. 
A  iitle  north  of  the  village,  clay  ironstone  occurs,  disseminated  throu-h  the 
rocks  ;  as  also  in  thin  beds  and  veins,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  be  of  any 
pracUcal  importance.  Numerous  kettle-shaped  excavations,  similar  to  those  pro- 
duced  by  pebbles  when  set  in  motion  by  the  action  of  a  strong  current,  occur 
m  the  sandstone,  and  not  unfrequently  at  a  distance  from  the  river,  and  at  an 
elevation  of  some  thirty  or  forty  feet  above  if. 

In  the  bed  and  bank  of  the  river,  a  little  above  the  crossing  of  the  road  at 
Jacksonburgh,  the  sandstone  is  seen  to  embrace  a  bed  of  bituminous  shale, 
rhe  shale  is  overlaid  by  two  and  a  half  feet  of  slatv  sandstone,  and  about  two 
feet  appear  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  Portions  of  this  shale  have  nearly 
he  appearance  of  semi-indurated  clay,  much  charged  with  carbonaceous  mat- 
ter;  but  at  a  distance  of  several  rods  below,  the  water,  by  fallin-  over  a  dam. 
has  thrown  out  large  qunntites  of  shale,  intermixed  with  very  th.n  fayers  of  coal ; 
and  the  whole  bang  highly  charged  with  bituminou.s  matter,  was  at  first  mis- 
taken by  the  inhabitants  for  coal.  Those  indications  were  matters  of  consider- 
able  mterest,  smce  the  shales  are  well  known  to  be  the  usual  associates  of  coal, 


350 


APPENDIX. 


i  .t. 


I 


and  occurring,  a3  they  do,  in  the  coal-bearing  rock,  a  reasonable  hope  may  un- 
doubtedly bo  entertained  of  the  existence  of  coal  in  that  section  of  country. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Portage  river,  a  few  miles  north  of  Jacksonburgh,  a  stratum 
of  line  rock  appears,  and  what  is  probably  a  continuation  of  the  same  stratum, 
is  seen  westerly  at  Bcllvue  and  several  intermediate  points.  This  lime  rock, 
which  occurs  in  flat,  irregular  masses,  separated  by  thin  coverinj;B  of  an  exceed- 
ingly tenacious  clay,  and  without  any  regular  lin  of  stratification,  upon  burning 
produces  a  superior  lime,  and,  aside  from  its  irregular  "hape,  would  prove  a  val- 
uable building  stone.  The  stratum  must,  however,  be  considered  as  of  no  great 
thickness,  since  the  sandstone  appears  again  at  a  lower  level,  a  few  miles  north 
westerly.  The  limestone  is  of  a  light  greyish  color,  and  exceedingly  compact ; 
and  although  numerous  perforations  of  hthodomous  moUusca  were  observed,  af- 
ter a  minute  examination  I  was  unable  to  detect  any  fossils. 

In  descending  Grand  river,  the  sandstone  is  seen  at  intervals  in  the  bed  of  the 
stream,  as  also  sometimes  attaining  a  considerable  elevation  upon  its  banks, 
through  the  counties  of  Jackson,  Ingham,  Eaton,  Clinton,  and  the  south-eastern 
part  of  Ionia.  It  was  last  noticed  in  the  bed  of  the  stream  a  few  miles  above 
the  mouth  of  Looking-glass  river.  In  general  character  it  bears  much  resemblance 
to  that  at  Jacksonburgh,  and  bituminous  shale  is  occasionally  seen  alternating 
with  it. 

In  the  northern  part  of  Eaton  county,  the  rock  is  seen  at  several  places  in  a 
mural  wall  of  from  thirty  to  forty  feet  in  height. 

At  many  points  where  the  rock  was  examined  in  the  counties  enumerated, 
carbonaceous  matter  and  vegetable  impressions  were  associated  with  it.  These 
were  more  particularly  noticed  in  Ingham  and  Eaton  counties,  where  very  thin 
beds  of  coal,  varying  from  half  an  inch  to  three  inches,  and  in  one  instance  two 
feet  in  thickness,  occur  in  slate,  usually  underlaying  an  irregular  and  inconsid- 
erable deposite  of  clay  ironstone. 

Sand  rock  occurs  on  the  Kalamazoo  river  at  Battle  Creek,  and  quarries  have 
been  partially  opened  at  that  place.  Portions  of  the  rock  which  have  been 
quarried,  furnish  a  tolerably  good  building  stone  ;  but  from  the  frequent  occur- 
rence of  nodular  masses  of  iron  pyrites,  much  care  is  required  in  its  selection. 

auarries  have  been  opened  more  extensively  at  Marshall,  and  a  building 
stone  s>f  good  quality  is  found  ;  but  here,  as  at  Battle  creek,  iron  pyrites,  though 
not  in  so  large  quantities,  occasionally  occurs,  embedded  in  it. 

In  ascending  the  Kalamazoo  river,  via  Albion,  the  sand  rock  occurs  at  short 
intervals,  having  much  the  same  appearance  at  Marshall,  as  also  at  numerous 
points  between  the  latter  place  and  Spring  Arbor,  in  Jackson  county. 

On  the  Shiawassee  river  in  Shiawassee  county,  the  sand  rock  was  first  seen  in 
the  bed  of  the  stream  from  four  to  five  miles  above  Corunna,  (the  county  town  of 
Shiawassee  co.,)  and  continues  at  intervals  as  far  as  from  four  to  five  miles  below 
Owasso  on  the  same  river.  The  dip  is  here  slightly  north  or  north-easterly.  The 
rock  was  not  seen  at  any  point  to  attain  any  sreat  elevation.  In  general  ap- 
pearance it  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  that  of  Jackson  county,  but  much  of  it 
contains  sufficient  mica  to  give  it  a  somewhat  slaty  structure.  About  one  mile 
Hbove  Corunna,  upon  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  it  has  been  quarried  in  small 
quantities  ;  and  although  loose  in  its  texture,  will  answer  tolerably  well  for  walls. 
Here  numerous  indistinct  impressions  of  plants  were  seen,  with  small  pieces  of 


M'l 


APPENDIX.  3gi 

coal  the  latter  retaining  its  general  ligniform  structure,  but  perfectly  charred. 
Half  a  mile  below  Owasso  the  rock  appears  in  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  is 
more  compact  in  its  structure. 

Near  Shiawassee  town,  (above  Corunna.)  the  outcropping  edge  of  a  stratum 
ot  limestone,  similar  in  general  appearance  to  that  at  Jacksonburgh,  makes  its 
Zdatonr  "^'"^^'"^  '""•'.easterly.     It  is  evidently  a  stratum  embraced  in  the 

Grey  Ldmeatmie. 
Underlaying  the  sandstone  already  described;  and  occurring  near  the  bor- 
ders  ol  the  peninsula,  is  a  grey  colored  limestone,  which  may,  without  doubt, 
be  considered  identical  with  the  mountain  limestone  of  European  geolo-nsts. 

The  outcropping  edge  of  this  rock  may  be  traced  from  the  rapids  of  Maumeo 
mer  m  Ohio,  directly  to  the  rapids  of  the  River  Raisin  at  the  city  of  Monroe 
At  the  latter  place,  and  in  the  country  immediately  surrounding,  where  there  is 
only  a  superficial  covering  of  earth,  extensive  quarries  have  been  opened,  and 
imestone  of  a  superior  quality  for  building,  as  also  tolerably  well  adapted  to 
the  manufacture  of  lime,  is  procured. 

In  ascending  the  River  Raisin  this  rock  is  occasionally  seen  as  far  as  Dun- 
dee,  where  it  forms  the  bed  of  the  river.  As  we  ascend  the  river  from  Mon- 
roe,  so  far  as  a  limited  examination  enables  me  to  judge,  the  rock  becomes 
mord  quartzose  in  its  character,  which  renders  it  nearly  unfitted  for  the  manu- 
tacture  of  lime,  but  does  not  lessen  its  value  as  a  material  for  building. 
About  five  miles  north-west  from  Monroe,  and  two  miles  distant"  from  the 

hZ'If  k''".J  ,""'  u"'"  """'  '''"  '"  "  ''"'^  "'■  di«i"tegration,  giving  rise  to 
beds  of  beautifully  white  quarlzose  sand,  better  adapted  to  the  manufacture 
ot  the  finer  k-nds  of  glass  than  any  I  have  seen  in  our  state. 

Between  Monroe  and  Brest  the  lime  rock  appears  in  the  beds  of  the  small 
streanis,  and  occasionally  at  other  points;  and  in  no  place  is  it  covered  by  a 
great  depth  of  soil.  At  Stoney  Point  the  rock  again  appears,  and  at  several 
pomts  along  the  coast,  or  a  little  in  the  interior.  It  also  occurs  in  the  vi- 
cinify  of  Gibraltar,  and  is  last  seen  on  this  shore,  at  Monguagon,  fifteen  miles 
below  Detroit,  at  which  place  quarries  of  considerable  extent  have  been  opened 
tor  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  city  of  Detroit  with  building  stone  and  lime' 
A  quarry  has  been  for  many  years  opened  on  Grosse  Isle,  as  also  on  the  Cana- 
da shore  in  the  vicinity  of  Ainherstburg. 

Proceeding  north-easterly  from  Monguagon,  the  rock  soon  becomes  covered 
with  a  considerable  depth  of  superincumbent  earth,  and  at  Detroit  is  found 
to  be  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  river 

Nothing  indicating  the  approach  of  the  rock  to  the  surface  was  observed  in 
Macomb  county;  but  in  the  western  part  of  St.  Clair,  angular  fragments  of 
the  rock  were  seen,  occurring  under  circumstances  which  would  seem  to  indicate 
the  approach  of  the  formation  to  the  surface.  The  same  was  also  noticed  in  por- 
tions  of  the  counties  of  Oakland,  Lapeer,  the  northern  part  of  Shiawassee, 
and  m  Midland,  near  the  forks  of  the  Tittabawassa  river.  The  rock  occurs 
m  a  place  ou  Charity  islands  of  Saginaw  bay,  and  also  on  the  northern  shore 
at  Point  au  Grea. 

On  the  westerly  slope  of  the  peninsula,  a  lime  rock  occurs  at  the  rapids  of 
Grand  river,  which  is  undoubtedly  identical  with  that  last  noticed.     About  two 


^.  i 


t 


« 


i^^«-  -1 


352 


AM'ENOIX. 


If      if 


<- 1      rs 


i.  :i 


miles  iiurlh  uf  Grand  rapids,  tUe  mck  app.  ari  of  a  superior  quality  for  eco- 
nomical purposes,  in  a  s!  tn^;  talus  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet.  It  also  oc 
curs  at  the  rapids  of  Masii  sjoii  river,  and  wdl,  no  duubt,  bi  I  'id  extending 
a  long  distance  north  from  ilu-  last-mentioned  stream, 

Asaocuited  with  the  roei«,  .j  hnd  calcareous  spar  at  nearly  all  the  localitiei 
noted;  irregular  ho--tooth  spar  at  Monroe;    sulphate  ..  "t        ai  Brest 

and  Grosse  Isle;  i    molite  at  Brest;  sulphate  of  bun  un    .par,  and 

gypsum  at  Grand  ru|)  ds;  and  the  latter  mineral  will,  undoubu  .Jly,  b.  found  a.+. 
sociated  at  the  rapids  of  Masiikegon,  and  on  iho  north  shore  of  Saginaw  bay. 

The  rock  is  more  or  less  fossiliferous  at  m"-'  if  the  points  where  it  was  ex- 
amined, but  more  particularly  so  at  Monguu  and  Grand  rapids.  At  the  for- 
mer place  thin  pieces  ol  carbonaceous  matter,  as  also  small  cavities  filled  with 
bitumen,  are  occasionally  seen  ;  and  the  rock  is  extremely  fcetid.  Theexcava^ 
tions  in  the  rock  have  been  so  slight,  and  so  small  a  portion  is  exposed,  that 
the  opportunilies  for  examining  the  (basils  ire  extremely  limited,  and  many  of 
those  procured  for  examination  were  in  so  mutilated  a  condition,  as  to  preclude 
all  possibility  of  drawing  any  specific  distinctions,* 

The  limestone  is,  for  the  most  part,  of  a  eubgranular  stn  quite  com- 

pact, and  well  adapted  to  agricultural  purposes  ;  and,  although  at  maay  points 
it  is  capable  of  producing  a  valuable  lime  upon  burning,  it  is  not  unfrequently 
too  siliceous  to  answer  that  purpose. 

Lower  Sandstnne  or  Graywack  Group* 
About  thirty  miles  above  Fort  Gratiot,  and  on  the  immediate  shore  of  Lake 
Huron,  a  greenish  colored  clay  slate,  alternating  with  compact  and  slaty  sand- 
stone, is  seen  attaining  an  altitude  of  from  ten  to  twenty  feet.  In  coastin<» 
along  the  shore,  rocks  of  a  similar  character  occur  at  intervals  as  far  as  Point 
Aux  Barques.  But  at  the  latter  place,  and  for  several  miles  around,  the  sand- 
stone is  not  accompanied  by  shale. 

The  sandrock  at  Point  Aux  Barques  diflers  materially  in  general  character 
from  that  in  the  central  portions  of  the  state ;  for  it  is  nearly  or  quite  destitute 
of  fossils,  and  is  highly  micaceous  and  flaggy  in  structure.  The  sandstone  first 
noticed,  as  alternating  with  slate,  is  of  a  deep  grey  color,  and  the  cement  is 
mostly  argillaceous. 

The  general  dip  of  these  rocks  is  south-westerly  ;  and  although  not  actually 
seen  in  contact  with  the  mountain  limestone,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  it  pass- 
es under  that  rock  formation,  A  rock  stratum,  which  may  be  referred  to  the 
lower  portion  of  this  group,  is  seen  in  that  portion  of  our  state  north  of  Lake 
Huron,  on  the  St.  Mary's  river,  where  it  is  of  a  mottled  or  variegated  color. 
The  channel  of  the  St.  Mary's  river  appears  to  have  been  chiefly  excavated 
from  this  rock,  precisely  at  that  point  where  its  edge  rested  upon  the  primary 
rocks  of  Upper  Canada. 

In  ascending  Lake  Superior,  this  rid  sandstone  appears  at  numerous  points, 
and  occasionally  attains  a  considerable  altitude,  as  at  the  Pictured  Rod's,  where 
k  rises  in  a  mural  wall  of  from  two  to  three  hundred  feet.    In  the  vicinity  of 

♦  The  genera  Terehratula,  Producta,  and  Cyathophyllum,  were  observed 
both  in  the  eastern  and  western  portions  of  the  state  :  Orthocera,  Bellerophon, 
Sarcinula,  Spirifer,  Natica,  Encrinus,  Gorgonia,  Madrepora,  Reterpora,  Caly- 
mene  and  Asaphus  at  Monguagon,  and  Pecten  at  Grand  rapids. 


\i  r 


1 


ArrLNDix. 


353 


Granite  Pomt  u  .s  seen,  scarcely  di.turbu,),  resting  upon  nob,  of  primary  rocks  • 
wh.lo  .n  th,  Trap  m  -.ons  of  Lake  Sup.,nor,  as  in  tho  vicinity  of '^the  For  °  p.ne 
n..u„  a,„.        .a  se.     .lipping  irregularly  at  „  .,    ,.  angl.  fro.!,  the  elc  IZd  s 
tnctofco.:      y,an.     <  there  of  a  deep  reddish-brown  color 

These     .ndston.«  are,  for  the  most  part,  auflicc.tly  compact  to  furnish  a 
tolerably  cuduring  material  for  building. 

Coal. 
Since  that  rock  formation  occupying  tho  central  portion  of  tho  peninsula,  as 
ha  area  y  been  stated,  may  be  referred  to  the  carboniferous  form'a.ion,  I  ;" 
ca  I  ed  t.,  conclude  that  examinations  for  coal  might  be  conducted  with  a  prc- 
bab,h.y  of  success;  and  as  far  as  these  examinations  have  been  carried,  I  havo 
not  been  disappointed  m  these  conclusions.  For  the  reason  that  the  outcrop, 
ping  ed^o  of  the  rock  is  almost  invariably  covered  with  soil,  but  few  points  oc- 
curling  where  .t  can  be  seen,  these  examinations  are  attended  with  the  grcafr- 
l.nic,.lt.es  ;   and,  much  time  will,  in  all  probability,  be  required  to  test  the  qiics-' 

areMi"  "T""""  "^'  T^-  '"''"''"'  ''"''•  ^°°''  ?'•-'"«  °<"  bituminous  coal 
are  found  quite  universally,  ,„  excavating  the  sand  and   gravel  of  the  counties 

enumerated  as  bounding  the  carboniferous  formation,  an<l,  no  doubt,  have  their 
ongm  from  the  disintegration  of  the  coal-bcaring  rock,  and  Ihey  occur  over  a 
formTtio°n  """"^""^  ^""^i^crably  more  extensive  than  that  now  occupied  by  that 

Indica.icns  of  coal  were  more  particularly  noticed  at  several  places  in  Jack- 
son,  Ingham.  Ealon,  and  Shiawassee  counties,  and  it  was  occasionally  seen  in 
beds,  rarely  exceeding  two  or  three  ind.es  in  thickness.     On  Grindstone  creek, 
m  Eaton  county,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  a  bed,having  an  average  thick- 
ness  of  eighteen  inches,  and  not  exceeding  two  feet  at  any  point.  Was  c^amine.l 
along  tlH.  b,..e  of  the  hills  for  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile,  where,  in  conse- 
quence of  Its  dipping  below  the  surface,  I  was  unable  to  trace  it  farther.     This 
bed  IS  embraced  in  a  succession  of  compact  sandstones  and  fissile  shalc<.  varyl 
Jng  in  thickness  from  five  to  thirty  feet.    In  consequence  of  the  shuttered  con- 
dition of  the  sandstone  at  one  point,  1  was  enabled  to  remove  some  twenty  or 
thirty  bushels  of  tho  coal,  which  proved  to  be  highly  bituminous,  and  of  a  very 
good  quality,  though  occasional  pieces  were  observed  sli^^htly  contaminated  with 
iron  pyrites.    It  ignites  easily,  burns  with  a  bright  flame,  and  leaves  only  a 
small  quantity  of  earthy  residuum.  '' 

The  dilficultie.  which  surrounded  the  investigation  of  this  important  subject, 
•t  IS  to  be  hoped,  will  in  a  measure  be  overcome  as  the  c„„  ,„y  becomes  more 
settled ;  and  wo  may  look  for  much  valuable  information  from  the  construction 
of  our  contemplated  internal  improvements,  and  more  particularly  that  of  tho 
proposed  canal,  which  will  cross  tho  coal  formation  at  a  point  where  we  have 
reason  to  hope  that  beds  of  this  mineral  will  be  brought  to  light. 

Oypsum. 
Near  Grand  rapids  in  Kent  county,  a  bed  of  gypsum  occurs,  apparently  of 
considerable  extent.  It  is  embraced  in  a  bed  of  gypseous  marl,  and  overlays 
tl«j  limestone  belore  noticed  as  occurring  in  this  neighborhood.  AlthouH.  the 
gypsum  IS  only  seen  upon  the  surface  at  two  or  three  points,  and  the  bedrhave 
never  been  opened,  I  became  satisfied,  after  a  somewhat  cursory  examination  that 
.1  exists,  covered  wit!,  a  few  feet  of  soil,  over  a  considerable  district  of  count:  y, 

45 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


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354 


APPENDIX, 


'Jir^ 


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and  that  it  cannot  Tail  to  prove  a  suhject  of  much  value  to  the  agricultural  inte- 
rests of  this  and  the  adjoining  parts  of  the  state. 

The  gypsum  is  of  the  fibrous  variety,  nearly  free  from  earthy  matter,  and  ia 
well  adapted  to  nearly  all  the  uses  to  which  this  valuable  mineral  ia  applied. 
The  bod  is  distinctly  stratafied,  the  layers  varying  from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches 
in  thickness,  and  they  are  sepe.rated  from  each  other  by  argillaceous  matter 
and  earthy  gypsum. 

Plaster  is  also  known  to  exist  at  several  other  points  m  our  state,  but  suffi- 
cient examinations  have  not  yet  been  made  to  throw  any  light  upon  the  proba- 
ble extent  of  the  beds. 

Brine  Springs. 

Looking  upon  every  thing  connected  with  the  manufacture  of  salt  is  of  the 
most  vital  importance  to  the  interests  of  the  state,  and  also  bearing  in  mind  the 
necessity  of  designating  those  springs  selected  for  state  purposes  at  as  early  a 
day  as  possible,*  most  of  my  minute  examinations  during  the  past  season  have 
been  devoted  to  the  brine  springs  of  the  peninsula  ;  and  since  the  n:ost  of  these 
occur  in  those  counties  which  are  but  sparsely  populated,  the  examinations 
have  been  attended  with  labor  of  the  most  severe  kind.  Little  or  nothing  of  a 
definite  character  has  hitherto  been  known  respecting  either  the  location  or 
quality  of  these  springs,  and  nothing  of  the  geological  circumstances  under 
which  they  occur. 

It  has  been  known,  from  the  earlies*  settlement  of  the  country,  that  the  In- 
dians formerly  supplied  themselves  with  salt  from  Bprintjs  occurring  on  the  pe- 
ninsula ;  numerous  reservations  of  lands  supposed  to  contain  salt  springs,  have 
been  made  by  the  United  States ;  and  many  years  ago  several  unsuccessful 
attempts  were  made  by  individuals  to  manufacture  salt.  But  after  all,  the  fact 
that  most  of  the  springs  reserved  by  the  United  States  contain  little  else  than 
some  of  the  salts  of  lime  and  -.on,  and  the  failure  in  the  original  attempt  to 
manufacture  salt  had,  with  much  reason,  given  rise  to  doubts  as  to  the  exist- 
ence of  saline  springs  to  any  extent.  In  the  examinations  which  have  been 
made  d'-ring  the  past  season,  I  have  endeavored,  so  far  as  has  been  in  my  pow- 
er, to  determine  the  southerly  boundary  of  the  saline  district,  the  geological  and 
geographical  position  of  the  different  springs  which  have  come  under  my  ob- 
servation, together  with  the  comparative  strength  and  purity  of  their  M-aters. 
As  tliese  examinations,  from  the  short  time  which  has  elapsed,  have  only  been 
partial,  and  the  deductions  must  necessarily  be  crude,  I  shall  only  offer  at  this 
time  such  observations  and  suggestions  as  I  conceive  to  be  of  immediate  prac- 
tical importance,  or  as  may  tend  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  general  facts 
connected  with  the  subject. 

Saline  indications  of  any  importance  have  not  been  noticed  south  of  a  lino 
drawn  from  Monroe,  in  Monroe  county,  to  Granville,  in  Kent  county ;  and  al- 
though there  are  several  indications  in  Wayne  county,  if  the  eastern  point  wore 
removed  to  Mount  Clemens,  in  Macomb  county,  the  country  lying  north  of 
that  line  would  embrace  all  of  much,  or,  in  fact,  of  any  consequence,  with  the 
exception  of  those  on  Saline  river  in  Washtenaw  couiUv     This  will  be  more 

*  It  will  be  recollected,  that  by  the  act  of  admission,  our  state  was  lermitted 
to  select  seventy-two  sections  of  salt  spring  lands. 


APPENDIX. 


356 


)ermitted 


T^il'^i^^Tn^V"^'''''''  '"  *'•'  ''''='"'°"  °f  tl^^  "Pring"  enumerated  in 
Table  No.  1,*  which  mcludes  the  most  important  springs  examined 

1  tiese  may  be  conveniently  described  as  occurring  in  five  somewhat  dl«tin.t 

rrr':;w    ^^^\?"7"  "^""^  "^"'  ^^'^'^  ^"^  ""'^"^  second;tZ  0   t 
r  ver,  towns  eight  and  nme  north :  third,  those  on  the  Tittabawassa  river  town 
fi  teen  north:  fourth,  those  of  Macomb  county,  town  three  north:  fifth    hoso 

are  ^1:1"^  ^"'T''^  •^''^"'^y' '-"  ''^^^  «-th.    Several  other  Vou" 
are  already  known,  and  some  additional  aprings  have  been  partially  exar^iZ' 

ThP  relative  strength  and  purity  of  the  waters  of  these  springs  will  be  seen 

b  t  th  :  is'bv'        ""''''  ':  '''  — P-y-g  ^«b'-.  numbered  one    nd  two 
but  th.    .s  by  no  means  to  be  taken  as  a  standard  of  the  amount  of  solid  rnaUer 

ter  „  ,hT°  ""'"  "''"^'^  circumstances  be  found  to  conta  n  T^wa 
n  ne'.r  --Pt'on  of  those  taken  from  ,he  springs  numbered  eilhteen  and 

n  n  ,ecn,  were  mvar.ably  taken  from  the  surface,  and  with  the  sin. le  exrption 
of  that  numbered  fifteen,  under  the  most  unfavorable  circumstances     In  coC 
quence  ot  the  l.avy  rains  of  the  past  summer,  most  of  the  mar  hes   "n  which 
hesa-        ecur  have  been  deluged  with  fresh  water ;  the  streams  h  ve  been 

whcfh  h""*;  '""v"'^""  "'"''"''  '"  P^*'^""""^  eventhediluted  v  or 
wh,  h  has  been  the  subject  of  this  analysis,  and  in  more  than  one  instance  has 
th    h,gh  state  of  the  water  compelled  me  to  abandon  the  exannnation 

In  ascendmg  Grand  nver  from  its  mouth,  we  first  notice  the  appearance  of 
.  ae  spnngs  some  three  to  four  miles  below  the  rapids  in  Kent  couy     These 
m  .catmns  occur  m  the  small  marshes  in  the  valley  on  either  sid-   /he  river 
The  r.er  ,s  here  bounded  by  hills  having  a  considerable  elevation,    ndXh 
give  to  t.ie  country  a  somewhat  ruggid  aspect. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  th^t  the  bed"of  the  river,  at  the  rapids  is  of 
.me  rock,  and  it  does  not  lie  at  any  great  depta  in  the  neighboring  p^Jons  o 
the  valley.     The  gypsum,  before  noticed,  occurs  in  the  immediafe  vi   Z  o 
le  more  important  springs.  vicmiiy  oi 

JlT  ^/P""'^  ""'"^""'■^'^  f""--.  five,  six,  seven,  and  eight,  in  Table  No.  1 
(although  of  a  superior  quality,)  may  Le  taken  as  the  ty^e  of  the  others  mv 
doscripfons  will  be  confined  to  these  alone.     From  these'  ,hc    ndian       '  Z 
surroundmg  country  are  reputed  to  have  procured  their  salt  at  an  earird^' 
and  hese  springs  have  been  known  from  the  earliest  settlement  of  the  country' 
1  hese  salines  occur  separated  only  a  few  rods  from  each  other,  near  the  ed.^ 
of  a  marsh  contaimng  about  twenty  acres,  and  their  waters  are  discharged  rom 
small  tumnli    m  general  appearance  not  unlike  flattened  ant  hills.     They  ar^ 
a  most  completely  surrounded  by  an  exuberant  growth  of  Chara,  upon  the  rooU 
ra    V  T'^  "h  :         "  %P;^'--'-t  deposite  of  lime,  which  is  usudly  con   d 
rably  co  ored  by  iron.     The  calcareous  deposite  has  not  produced  any  ind,  ra- 
tion,  an,    he  marsh  is  so  completely  softened  in  the  immediate  vicinil  of  the 
springs,  that  they  are  only  approached  by  using  the  utmost  caution.' SmaU 
streams  of  water  are  constantly  discharged  from  these  several  springs  wS 
uniting  at  a  short  distance,  and  being  joined  by  numerous  springs'of  fresh  wa- 

cJoS"  ■n'^S  "'  '"  ""'  '"""'^  '"  '""^  ^^P-'  °f  Dr.  Houghton,  the  State 


k 


l!  >W 


m 


J;    ! 


■ 


356 


APPENDIX. 


ter,  give  rise  to  an  inconsiderable  but  permanent  brook,  which  enteri  Grand  river 
at  a  distance  of  a  httle  less  than  eighty  rods.  Upon  examining  the  several 
springs  more  closely,  they  are  found  to  have  a  variable  depth  of  from  a  few 
inches  to  two  or  three  feet,  and  to  vary  in  diameter  from  two  to  three  feet. 
When  the  bottom  is  not  concealed  by  the  loose  vegetable  and  ferruginous  mat- 
ter, which  is  sometimes  retained  by  the  exuberant  growth  of  plants  by  which 
these  springs  are  surrounded,  it  is  seen  to  be  composed  of  yellow  sand  with 
comminuted  shells  chiefly  of  Lymnea,  Melanea,  and  Pupa,  portions  of  which 
are  kept  in  constant  and  rapid  motion  by  the  jets  of  water.  This  yellow  sand 
is  found  to  be  based  upon,  or  to  contain,  numerous  boulders  of  primary  rocks, 
at  a  very  slight  depth.  The  water  discharged  is  perfectly  trp.nsparen.,  with  a 
slightly  bluish  tinge,  and  contains  sufficient  carbonic  acid  to  give  it  a  flavor  not 
disagreeable.  In  only  one  spring  was  sulphuretted  hydiogen  observed,  and  it 
was  in  that  instance  regarded  as  purely  accidental.  The  temperature  of  the 
different  springs  was  tbund  to  range  from  48°  to  61°  Fah.,  while  the  springs  cf 
fresh  water  in  the  vicinity  would  not  vary  very  much  from  52°. 

The  salines  being  situated  at  a  lower  level  than  most  of  the  surrounding 
country,  must  necessarily  be  liable  to  great  variation  in  strength  and  purity,  ac- 
cording as  the  lateral  springs  are  more  or  less  increased  or  diminished.  The 
sandy  soil  with  calcareous  gravel  being  superimposed  upon  lime  rock,  and  con- 
taining small  quantities  of  both  sulphuret  and  carbonate  of  iron,  must  be  a  con- 
stant source  of  contamination,  more  particularly  during,  and  immediately  after, 
heavy  rains ;  and  to  this  admixture  of  substances  perfectly  foreign,  must  bo 
ascribed  the  great  variation  shown  by  the  analysis  to  exist  in  the  mineral  con- 
tents of  waters  taken  at  a  distance  of  only  a  few  rods  from  each  other,  and  evi- 
dently having  a  common  source. 

Slight  indications  of  saline  waters  are  seen  in  the  valley  of  Grand  river  near 
Ionia,  but  none  were  observed  on  that  river  above  that  point. 

In  ascending  Maple  nver,  saline  indications  were  firsf  observed  in  town  eight 
north,  range  four  wes  ;  and  were  seen  to  occur  at  distant  intervals  between  that 
point  and  what  may  l.e  considered  a-  the  head  of  navigation  of  the  stream 
not  far  from  the  line  betv.c,,..  'anges  one  and  two  west.  The  Maplj  river  be- 
tween  these  points  is  a  sluggish  stream,  having  so  slight  a  current  as  to  resem- 
ble a  succession  of  narrow  lakes;  while  the  alluvial  shores,  scarcely  risin^  above 
the  water,  even  when  lowest,  are  covered  with  a  dense  forest  of  soft  maple, 
giving  to  the  whole  stream,  at  hrst,  rather  a  forbidding  aspect.  But  in  passing 
from  thi'j  valley,  which  varies  from  half  a  mile  to  two  or  throe  miles  in  width 
we  come  upon  a  beautifully  elevated  and  undulating  country,  for  the  most  part 
heavily  timbered,  and  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  agriculture.  The  bottom 
of  the  stream  is  seen  to  be  composed  of  a  yellowish  sand,  as  is  also  the  alluvial 
depositc  which  bounds  it  on  either  side,  with  which  are  frequently  seen  bould- 
ers of  primary  rocks,  but  no  rock  was  seen  in  place  at  any  point  upon  the  river. 
In  Clinton  county,*  and  where,  by  a  somewhat  sudden  turn,  the  river  ap- 
proaches  near  to  the  elevated  boundary  of  the  valley  just  described,  saline  indi- 
cations  of  a  decided  chara,;ter  appear  in  the  narrow  marsh  or  alluvial  bottom 
which  bounds  the  river  upon  its  northern  side.    Two  marshes,  acarccly  elevate 

♦  Town  eight  north,  range  four  west,  section  fifteen. 


■ 


I  Grand  river 
;  the  several 
f  from  a  few 
o  three  feet, 
uginoua  mat- 
its  by  which 
)w  sand  with 
ons  of  which 
yellow  sand 
imary  roclia, 
arenv,  with  a 
t  a  flavor  not 
erved,  and  it 
atiire  of  the 
le  springs  cf 

surrounding 
d  purity,  ac- 
ished.  The 
ck,  and  con- 
1st  be  a  con- 
Jiately  after, 
gn,  must  bo 
mineral  con- 
ler,  and  evi- 

id  river  near 

» town  eight 
ictween  that 
the  stream 
Ij  river  be- 
ns to  resem- 
rising  above 
soft  maple, 
\  in  passing 
3a  in  width, 
ic  most  part 
The  bottom 
the  alluvial 
ieen  bould- 
)n  the  river, 
e  river  ap- 
salineindi- 
vial  bottom 
ccly  elevafc 


» 


APPENDIX. 


357 


ed  above  t!ie  surface  of  the  river,  and  partially  separated  from  each  other,  occur 
in  the  lower,  of  which  no  distinct  spring  can  be  said  to  exist ;  but  the  water  is 
aeon  at  several  points  oozing  through  the  san.ly  soil  in  connexion  with  the  wa- 
tor  of  the  river ;  and  although  no  means  could  be  devised  for  preventing  the  con- 
stant accession  of  fresh  water  and  foreign  matter,  it  will  be  seen  by  "reference 
to  spring  U,  Tables  No.  1  and  2,  a  much  more  favorable  result  was  obtained 
than  could  under  those  circumstances  have  been  anticipated.  At  the  upper 
marsh,  an  excavation  had  been  made  to  the  depth  of  a  few  feet,  but  not  suffi- 
ciont  to  prevent  the  free  ingress  of  fresh  water.  There  was  a  constant  discharge 
of  water  in  small  quantities  perfectly  transparent,  and  having  a  temperature  tf 
4^^,  and,  as  was  also  the  case  with  that  at  the  lower  marsh,  having  a  si  lit 
odor  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen.  The  result  of  an  examination  of  the  water, 
taken  under  these  favorable  circumstances,  is  given  in  Tables  No.  t  and  2* 
spring  No.  13.  '  ' 

Since  my  visit  to  that  place,  I  am  informed  a  shaft  has  beei  sunk  through  al- 
teruating  beds  of  sand  and  coarse  gravel,  to  l  depth  of  about  forty  feet,  and  has 
been  attended  by  a  considerable  increase  of  the  saline  contents  of  the  water  + 

As  we  continue  to  ascend  the  Maple  River,  indications  of  saline  water  occa- 
sionally appear  until  we  arrive  near  the  source  of  navigation  of  that  stream  in 
Gratiot  county,  some  fifteen  to  trt-enty  miles  above  those  already  described. 
Here  two  saline  marshes  occur,  one  upon  each  side  of,  and  scarcely  elevated 
above  the  water  of  t'.  ■  •  ream  at  its  medium  height.  That  upon  the  northern 
side  was  estimated  to  contain  between  forty  and  fifty  acres.  They  are  simi- 
lar  in  appearance,  consisting  of  a  deposite  of  sand,  intermixed  with  vegetable 
matter.  Numerous  small  pools  of  brackish  water  are  irregularly  distributed 
ever  them,  and  the  soil  is  apparently  saturated  through  their  whole  extent  of  it ; 
lut  as  the  looseness  of  the  earthy  material  admits  the  free  percolation  of  tho 
water  of  the  river,  the  results  of  the  analysis  given  in  Tables  No.  1  and  2, 
springs  11  and  12,  can  only  be  looked  upon  as  an  approximation  to  the  present 
strength  and  purity  of  the  surface  water.  In  a  single  instance,  upon  the  south- 
ern side,  and  where  the  soil  becomes  slightly  argillaceous,  the  water  was  seen 
rising  to  the  surface,  and  running  ofT  in  small  quantities  ;  but  after  minute  ex- 
amination, I  was  led  to  infer  that  a  large  amount  of  water,  which  would  under 
other  circumstances  rise  to  the  surface,  is  discharged  laterally  through  the  sand 

*  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  received,  through  the  politeness  of  Messrs, 
Faiks  and  Warner,  the  proprietors  of  the  spring,  several  bottles  of  the  water 
taken  since  the  shaft  was  sunk.  One  hundred  cubic  inches  (three  and  a  half 
ilsufts'"      ^         '^  ^''^^''  ^"''•i^'^'^''  ^  ^'^^  analysis,  gave  the  following 

Muriate  of  soda,  143.88  grains. 
Muriate  of  lime,  439 

Muriate  of  magnesia,  12.83 

Carbonate  of  lime,  giss 

Carbonate  of  iron,  _'Qg 

Sulphate  of  lime,  13.47 


Total  solid  matter,  190.80  grains. 

By  a  comparison  of  this  analysis  with  that  numbered  13,  in  Table  1,  it  will 
be  seen  that  there  has  been  an  increase  of  92.42  grains  of  solid  matter,  and 
77.0.-.  grains  of  salt,  in  one  hundred  cubic  inches  of  the  water,  in  consequence 
of  the  shaft  which  has  been  sunk. 


>  1) 


/^ 


868 


APPENDIX. 


%% 


Iffi 


and  gravel,  into  the  river.  These  marshes  are  the  favorite  resort  of  wll.i  ani- 
male  j  and  pafhs,  deeply  worn  by  deer,  were  seen  in  every  direction. 

On  .he  T.ttabawttssa  River  in  iM.dland  County,  numerous  indications  of  the 
existence  of  bnne  springs  wore  noticed,  extending  from  near  the  mouth  of  Chip, 
pewa  River  as  far  as  I  ascended  the  former  stream,  being  a  fewm.les  above  the 
mouth  of  Sa  t  R.ver.  Upon  either  side  of  the  Tittabawassa,  between  the  points 
noted,  small  pools  of  brackish  water  were  observed,  as  also,  occasionally, 
springs  discharging  a  similar  water  in  small  quantites;  and  although  an  .'! 
ammation  showed  the  waters  to  contain  large  quantities  of  the  salts  cHime,  and 
occasionally  of  iron,  they  were  never  destitute  of  more  or  less  salt. 

bprings  of  a  more  decidec.  character  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mouth  of 
bait  river.  The  first  observed  occurs  in  the  stream  near  the  banks  of  the  Tit- 
tabawassa,  a  little  beluw  Salt  river,  and  at  the  time  of  my  visit  wan  .overed  by 
some  two  to  two  and  a  half  feet  of  wnt.r.  Aftnr  much  labor,  by  partly  encir- 
cling  the  spring  with  two  rows  of  stakes,  and  falling  a.ound  wi^i  earth,  I  was 

but  '  r  ':  "  r  :""  '"'.'  T''  ^^  '"  """^'^  ""  -P-**-'  ^ami^ation  ; 
but  the  loose  nature  of  the  material  composing  the  bed  of  the  stream,  (it  beii..^ 

sand  and  gravel,)  together  with  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  the  crib  surt 
jnding  the  spring  w^seonsiructed,  did  not  prevent  the  constant  accession 
of  considerable  quantities  of  fresh  water  ;  for  which  reason  the  result  of  the  ex- 
amination given  in  Tables  No.  1  and  2.  3pring  No.  1,  must  be  considered  as 
nothing  more  than  an, approximation  to  the  real  .,uantity  of  solid  matter  the 
water  would  contain  were  it  taken  under  more  favorable  circumstances 

Ihe  spring  was  found  by  actual  admeasurement  to  discharge  about  seventy 
gallons  of  water  per  hour,  free  from  all  sedimentary  matter,  perfectly  transpa- 
rent  and  to  have  a  temperature  of  47°,  while  the  temperature  of  the  river  was 
51  Fah.  A  small  quantity  of  some  gaseous  matter  was  discharged  at  inter- 
vals of  several  minutes,  which,  although  I  had  no  means  of  determining  to  a 
certainty,  was  supposed  to  be  carburetted  hydrogen. 

Nearly  a  mile  above  this  spring,  upon  the  same  bank,  and  elevated  from  eioht 
to  ten  feet  above  the  water  of  the  river,  is  a  second  spring,  discharging  a  some- 
what larger  quantity  of  water.     Its  general  appearance  and  temperature  arc 
precsoly  the  same  as  in  that  already  described  ;  but  in  strength  it  is  inferior 
as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  Table  No.  1,  spring  No.  2.  ' 

Near  by,  but  at  a  greater  elevation,  seven-'  small  springs  of  brackish  water 
were  seen  issuing  f.  ...  the  sloping  bank  r/  ■.  river,  which,  upon  examination, 
were  found  to  contain  a  notable  quantity  of  salt. 

At  the  distance  of  about  tiiree-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  locality  last  men- 
tioned, and  some  forty  rods  from  Salt  River,  on  its  left  bank,  several  brine 
springs,  closely  resembling  those  before  described  as  occurring  near  the  rapids 
ol  Grand  River,  are  seen  to  issue  from  a  marsh  of  about  an  acre  in  extent  The 
quantity  of  water  discharged  from  these  springs  is  small,  but  when  considered 
in  connexion  with  those  already  noticed,  they  become  matters  of  considerable 
interest,  smce  they  serve  to  show  that  the  salines  are  not  confined  to  one  or 
two  springs,  but  are  widely  dispersed  over  a  large  district  of  country  By  refer- 
ence  to  spring  No.  3,  Tables  I  and  2,  the  strength  and  purity  of  one  of  the 
Bprmgs,  occurring  in  this  marsh,  will  be  seen  ;  but  since  the  marsh  from  which 
this  water  was  taken,  had  been  completely  deluged  by  the  rains  that  had  fallen 


APPENDIX. 


S59 


the  night  before,  perhaps  no  greater  allowance  should  be  medc  for  any  water 
that  wa«  analyzed,  than  for  this. 

Brine  sprin^^s  are  known  lo  exist  near  the  mouths  of  the  Flint  and  Cass 
ll.vers  m  Saginaw  county,  as  also  in  Sanillac  county  j  but  as  they  occur  in  a 
Hat  section  of  country,  the  unfavorable  season  coinpelied  ino  to  defer  examining 
them  until  some  future  time.  ° 

On  the  eastern  declivity  of  the  peninsula,  in  the  counties  of  St.  Clair,  Ma. 
comb,  Wayne,  and  the  eastern  part  of  Oakland,  numerous  indications  of  saline 
water  occur;  but  the  waters  are  in  most  instances  weak,  and  much  contami- 
nated  with  the  salts  of  liir*e,  magnesia,  and  iron.  The  only  exceptions  to  this, 
(among  those  which  have  been  examined,)  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  springg 
numbered  16,  17,  18,  and  19,  in  Tables  1  and  2. 

Thequanlity  of  water  discharged  from  the  brine  springs,  (so  far  as  examined,) 
18  niuch  greater  upon  the  western  aud  northern  than  upon  the  eastern  declivity 
ot  the  peninsula. 

The  solution  of  this  ditTerenc-  may  be  looked  for,  chiefly,  from  the  dilTerenoe 
m  dip  of  the  roLk  strata  ;  but  it  is  also,  probably,  dependant  in  part  upo'i  the 
earthy  superstratum  through  which  th«  waters  reach  the  surface.  Thus,  while 
the  springs  enumerated  as  occurring  upon  the  western  and  northern  declivities 
rise  to  the  surface  through  a  sandy  soil,  those  in  the  counties  la^t  mentioned 
chiefly  hnd  their  way  to  the  surface  through  beds  of  tough  clay,  with  occasion- 
al  interstratified  beds  of  sand  and  gravel,  though  not  unfrequently,  for  a  sliaht 
depth,  the  soil  may  be  sand  and  loam.  A  little  reflection  upon  this  subject  will 
serve  to  show  the  n.anner  in  which  the  water,  in  rising  to  the  surface,  may  fol- 
low  the  frequently  inclined  direction  of  these  beds  of  sand  and  gravel,  and  ap- 
pear  at  numerous  points  where  least  resistance  will  be  ottered  to  its  ascent,  and 
noc  unfrequently  at  some  distance  from  the  real  source  of  the  spring.  This  source 
ol  perplexity,  which  mast  necessarily  at  times  lead  to  erroneous  conclusiong, 
would  bo  less  liable  to  occur  were  the  earthy  matter  superimposed  upon  the 
rock  of  a  homogeneous  character  so  far  as  texture  is  concerned.  For  this  rea- 
8on,  as  also  for  the  others  connected  with  the  position  of  the  rock  strata,  the 
certainty  of  obtaining  salt  water  by  boring  must  be  looked  upon  as  less  upoQ 
the  eastern  than  upon  the  northern  and  western  slopes  of  the  peninsula. 

From  the  earliest  settlement  of  the  country,  brine  springs  have  een  known 
to  exist  in  Macomb  county,  on  Salt  River,  a  small  stream  which  is  discharged 
mto  Lake  St.  Clair:  and  many  years  ago  an  attempt  was  made  to  manufac 
ture  salt  from  one  of  them.  But  although  salt  was  manufactured  in  small  quan- 
tities, the  water  did  not  prove  of  sufficient  strength  to  render  it  a  source  of  pro- 
fit, m  consequence  of  which  the  attempt  was  abandoned.  When  I  visited  the 
spot,  an  old  gum  or  hollow  sycamore,  sunk  to  the  depth  of  a  few  feet,  near  the 
edge  of  the  stream,  marked  the  spot  from  which  the  water  was  taken,  and  a  few 
remaining  bricks  the  site  of  the  furnace. 

No  attempt  appears  to  have  been  made  to  improve  the  water  any  farther 
than  by  simply  excluding  that  from  the  stream.  The  gum  was  so  far  decayed 
as  to  permit  a  free  communication  with  the  water  of  the  stream,  and  that  near 
the  surface  in  the  gum  was  to  the  taste  apparently  free  from  saline  matter  •  but 
a  bottle  sunk  to  the  bottom,  about  five  feet,  brought  up  the  water  which  was  the 
subject  of  the  examination  noted  as  spring  No.  16,  Tables  1  and  2.    No  esti- 


I  11 


:  i^< 


860 


AITENDIX. 


mate  could  be  formed  of  Iho  q.:-  dty  discharged,  but  it  was  inferred  to  bo  in- 
con«uieral,le  The  temperature  of  the  water  at  the  bottom  of  the  gum  was 
found  to  be  50O,  h  hile  that  of  the  stream  was  60°  Fnh. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream,  and  only  a  few  rods  from  that  last  describ- 
h!'  V.7n'T    '^"''""'y  "''  "''""«  ""^t"  i'^'J^d  ^'om  a  bed  of  clay.     That  num- 

catinn.   1  .u  '""^  '^'  ''"'  '"'''"  '■'■°'"  "''^  ''■"'=''•    Nuruerous  similar  indi- 

cations  occur  m  the  immediate  vicinity. 

South-west  from  the  springs  last  noticed,  and  about  twelve  miles  distant,  in- 
.no  the  mi  n  T  «'";'''";,'^''-'^t"  "PPeur  on  a  small  stream  which  discharges 
nto  the  m  ddle  branch  of  CImton  R,ver.     Here,  upon  a  bed  of  clay,  and  scarce- 

■n  which  brackish  water  is  seen  at  numerous  points.     A  shaft  has  been  sunk 

and  flrilf   fh  ''?'  '""^'  ""''  S^'^^'^''  •"  "  ^^P'h  o»-  twenty-three  feet ; 

TabltT  and  2^ IT  "'"^V^  ^  «"4-t  of  the  analysis,  num'bered  18,  in 

Fah.     The  quantity  of  water  dischrr^!:;  irZl'L^ do^e!  ^t  rpX^   I' 
oeen  materially  improved  by  the  slight  excavation  which  has  been  made  e. 
cept  so  far  as  the  curb  may  serve  to  exclude  the  surface  water 

,hptr"°T"''  "'"•"' '■'•""'h'^t  last  noticed,  and  in  a  sm^Il  marsh  where 
here  does  not  appear  to  have  been  any  distinct  spring,  but  sim.Iy  brackish  wa 

gravel.    The  water  which  was  subjected  to  the  analysis,  Nofig,  Tables     and 

o^eXti  Th  rbet^'1\  ^'''^"""'"'^^-^^-^^'^^ 

one  toot  in   he  tube,  there  did  not  appear  to  be  any  discharge  of  water  from  it 

In  he  valley  of  Saline  River  in  Washtenaw  County,  ne^r  the  vJale  o7sa. 

Imebnnespnngs,  closely  resembling  those  already  notLd  in  Macomb  County 

ot  1  ?:':;:  boT"-    7'^'  "^  r "  '^^"'-^  '-^^  ^  ^^^  ^^ ^^-^  -perimposTd' 
on  c  ay,  at  the  bottom  of  a  somewhat  deep  valley,  and  givin.  rise  to  several 

sma.  pools  and  marshes,  as  also  appearing  in  one  or  two  instances  in  leap 
of  springs,  whicn  discharge  small  quantities  of  water.     That  from  which  the 
analysie  numbered  15,  Tables  1  and  2.  was  taken,  appears  to  be  of  the  mos' 
importance.  "      •«  most 

In  a  communication  from  an  intelligent  gentleman  of  Saline  on  the  subject 
of  thisspnng  he  says:  "From  the  stories  of  Indians  and  reports  of  the  old 
French  mha  itants,  both  of  Detroit  and  Monroe,  we  are  assumed,  that  a  an 
early  day  salt  was  tnanufactured  here  in  considerable  quantities.  And  from 
he  c-ondifon  m  which  the  spring  was  found  when  we  Srst  explored  the  couT- 
try,  we  have  good  reason  to  place  confidence  in  these  reports 

"  When  I  first  visited  this  place,  in  1823,  the  spring  was  about  sixteen  feet 
deep,  firm^  set  round  with  pickets  of  logs,  and  the  surrounding  water  ellTd 
by  an  embankment  Tho  spring  IS  now  filled  up,  the  picket^  destroyed  and 
1  :i"!"""' '"'  '"""  "'  '"  ''''''  °^  "«^'-^  "-y  ^y  ^>-  operation  of 

Thus  having  described,  perhaps  somewhat  more  minutely  than  the  subject 
under  cr,..ary  circumstances  would  have  called  for,  the  principal  brine  s^S,i 
examined  during  the  past  season,  it  becomes  a  matter  of  primary  importance  fo 


ArruNDtx. 


3G1 


inquire  what  practical  concluaiona  can  be  drawn  from  these  examinations.  Tho 
question  will  naturally  present  itself  under  two  somewhat  distinct  heads  •  first 
will  the  water,  from  either  of  the  springs  examined  (by  the  simple  exclusion  of 
the  surface  water,)  conlam  sufficient  sail,  and  is  it  discharged  in  sufficient 
quantity  to  enable  a  profitable  jnanufacture  to  bo  carried  on?  Secondly,  can  the 
water  be  improved  in  strength,  purity,  and  quantity  ? 

The  first  of  these  questions  involves  so  lew  considerations  as  to  admit  of  a 
ready  and  positive  answer ;  for,  although  the  strongest  of  our  brine  contains 
nearly  two-thirds  as  much  salt  as  would  be  contained  in  an  equal  quantity  of 
sea  water,  (taken  at  a  distance  from  the  coast,)  and  by  a  simple  exclusion  of 
the  surface  wafer,  might,  undoubtedly,  be  obtained  of  a  strength  fully  equal  and 
of  much  greater  purity,  from  our  proximity  to  extensive  manufactures  where 
water  of  a  superior  quality  is  used,  and  with  the  facilities  for  transportation 
which  now  exist,  we  would  bo  enabled  to  procure  our  salt  from  abroad  at  a 
cheaper  rale  than  it  could  possibly  bo  manufuctured  at  home.  And  a<rain  no 
spring,  which  was  examined,  discharges  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  "to  war- 
rant  the  erection  of  works  ;  although,  in  several  instances,  the*  objection  mi-ht 
possibly  be  removed  by  a  simple  and  very  slight  excavation. 

In  order  to  arrive  at  satisfacfcry  conclusions  upon  the  second  question,  it 
may  not  be  misplaced  to  institute  a  comparison  between  those  sprin-rs  which 
occur  on  the  peninsula,  ond  those  in  other  sections  of  the  United  States 

The  springs  of  New- York,  which  are  perhaps  more  universally  and  deaerv. 
they  known  than  any  others,  and  which  have  been  to  that  State  a  source  of 
so  much  wealth,  are  so  difTerently  situated  that  we  can  scarcely  institute  a  satis- 
factory  comparison  between  those  and  our  own.  Emanating  as  they  do.  from 
the  direct  outcropping  edge  of  the  rock,  forming  a  great  saliferous  basin,  their 
waters  possess  all  the  requisites  of  purity,  strength,  and  quantity,  without  any 
other  than  superficial  excavation.  Thus,  while  the  springs  of  New- York  are 
discharged  directly  from  the  edge  of  the  saliferous  rock,  those  of  our  peninsula 
.0  far  a,  examined,  rise  to  the  surface  through  a  superincumbent  mass  of  lime- 
stone, sandstone,  and  shale. 

Tho  general  resemblance  between  the  geology  of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  and 
that  of  our  own  state  has  already  been  noticed  ;  but  from  facts  which  it  is  un- 
necessa  y  to  detail  at  this  time,  I  am  led  to  infer  that  the  rock  formations  of 
our  saliferous  district  are  somewhat  lower  in  the  series  than  those  occurring  at 
the  principal  salines  on  the  Ohio.  If  this  inference  be  correctly  drawn  it 
would  follow  that  the  salt-bearing  rock  would  lie  nearer  the  surface  here  than 
at  the  points  mentioned  in  Ohio,  and  that  the  borings  would  not  be  required  to 
be  carried  to  so  great  a  depth  in  our  own  as  in  that  state. 

In  pursuing  this  subject,  we  may  arrive  at  some  general  conclusions  by  a 
comparison  of  the  surface  waters  subjected  to  analysis,  and  of  which  the  re- 
suits  are  given  in  Tables  numbered  1  and  2,  with  that  which  was  first  used  on 
the  Kenhawa,  and  of  which  a  general  description  has  been  given.  It  has  at 
ready  been  stated  that  the  making  of  salt  was  commenced  on  the  Kenhawa 
When  the  borings  had  been  carried  in  the  rock  to  the  depth  of  tv  enty-six  feet, 
the  gum  occupying  a  space  of  fourteen  feet  of  superincumbent  sand  and  grave) 
and  thar  three  hundred  gallons  were  required  to  manufacture  a  bushel  of  salt! 

46 


m 


t'lim 


APPENDIX. 

If  fifty-six  pounds  bo  taken  as  the  standard  weight  of  a  bushel  of  salt,*  it  will 
be  found,  by  calculation,  '.hat  it  will  recjuiro  of  the  water  numbered  1,  in  Table 
1,  and  which,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  taken  under  most  unCavorablo  circuni- 
■tances,  three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  gallons  nearly,  to  produce  that  quanti- 
ty.  Now,  since  this  water  was  taken  where  the  walur  of  the  river  was  from 
two  to  two  and  a  half  Icet  deep,  and  under  such  circumstances  that  the  free  ac 
cess  of  large  quantities  of  fresh  water  could  not  be  prevented,  I  think  it  will  be 
■afeto  say  that  the  waters  of  this  spring  are  quite  equal  to  that  first  used  on 
the  Kenhawa,  even  after  the  excavation  ol  forty  feet,  which  had  been  made  at 
the  last-mentioned  salines. 

The  importance  of  this  comparison  ia  much  enhanced  by  the  striking  simi- 
larity of  circumstances  under  which  the  salines  of  our  own  state  and  those  of 
Ohio  appear  ;  but,  aside  from  these  comparisons,  when  the  geological  relatiorM 
of  those  portions  of  our  state  in  which  these  springs  occur  are  considered,  wo 
cannot  fail  to  lookupor>  them  as  capable  of  being  vastly  improved,  and  as  bein^ 
Bubjects  of  vital  importance  to  the  state.  It  will  be  recollected,  that  at  the 
spring  mentioned  on  the  Kenhawa,  where  originally  three  hundred  gallons  of 
the  water  were  required  for  the  manufacture  of  a  bushel  of  salt,  seventy  gallons 
are  now  suflicient  to  produce  that  quantity.  As  on  the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries 
shafts  are  required  to  be  sunk  to  unequal  depths,  and  water  of  very  unequal 
strength  and  purity  is  obtained,  bo  in  our  own  state  we  may  look  for  great  va- 
riation  in  this  respect. 

We  can  only  hope  to  obtain  a  permanent  supply  of  brine,  of  sufficient 
strength,  from  the  springs  of  our  state  by  sinking  shafts  through  the  rocky  strata, 
nntil  the  salt-bearing  rock  be  reached,  be  the  distance  more  or  less.     If  judi- 
ciously conducted,  a  reasonable  doubt  could  scarcely  bo  entertained  but  this 
would  he  attended  with  success,  and  that  our  springs  might  be  made  to  produce 
a  supply  of  salt  more  than  sufficient  for  the  wants  of  the  state.     But  it  must  not 
be  imagined  that  this  will  be  unattended  with  difficulties  ;  for,  after  the  most 
minute  examinations  of  our  salt  region  have  been  made,  and  those  points  which 
offer  the  most  reasonable  prospects  of  success  selected  for  the  commencement 
of  operations,  no  little  skill,  labor,  and  expense  will  be  required  to  sink  such 
shafts  as  may  bo  of  any  permanent  benefit.     J  allude  to  this  subject  t'le  more 
particularly,  since  excavations  are  not  unfrequently  commenced  by  individuala 
without  "  counting  cost,"  under  the  delusive  expectation  that  a  simple  superli- 
cial  excavation  is  all  that  is  required.     The  result  is  a  failure  to  attain  the  ob- 
ject sought,  and  a  distrust  of  the  whole  matter.     Since  it  is  not  yet  known  to 
what  depths  the  boring  will  require  to  be  carried  at  any  of  the  points  in  the 
ealt  district,  and  the  sinking  of  a  shaft  to  any  great  depth  being  attended  with 
considerable  expense,  individuals  should  enter  upon  these  experiments,  (for 
they  must  be  looked  upon  in  this  light,)  with  extreme  caution.     When  the 
depths  to  which  shafts  must  be  sunk  are  fully  determined,  the  expense  and  pro- 
bability of  success  may  be  calculated  with  considerable  certainty  ;  but  it  is  not 
by  any  means  to  be  presumed  that  water  will  be  procured  of  equal  strength 
and  purity  at  all  the  points  which  have  been  enumerated,  or  that  operations 
might  be  commenced  at  all  those  points  with  prospects  of  success. 

♦  The  legal  weight  of  a  bushel  of  salt  in  the  state  of  New- York,  by  the  act 
ori797 ;  but  the  measured  bushel  will  considerably  exceed  this. 


APPENDIX. 


363 


Comparatively  littln  \a  yet  knowr.  of  the  minute  geology  ot  our  lalt  district 
or  even  of  >U  geographical  extent;  and  since  we  may  reasonably  hope  to  find 
those  portions,  yet  to  be  examined,  rich  in  brine  springs,  the  policy  of  imm*. 
didtely  commencmg  the  improvement  of  those  which  bid  most  fair  to  produce  a 
strong  brine  in  sufficient  quantities,  demands  serious  consideration.  Whilo 
It  IS  of  vital  importance  to  the  state  thot  operations  be  commenced  with  the 
least  possible  dclny,  it  is  also  desirable  that  the  very  best  points  should  be  first 
selected,  and  that  the  subject  should  be  as  perfectly  understood  as  circumstances 
will  permit ;  but  should  it  be  deemed  advisable  to  take  the  steps  preparatory  to 
this  improvement,  1  do  not  hesitate  to  give  it  as  an  opinion,  drawn  from  a  car*, 
ful  examination  of  the  subject,  that  points  may  be  selected  where  these  opera- 
tions may  be  conducted  with  the  strongest  prospects  of  eventual  success. 

Clay. 

Marly  clay  of  rather  a  coarse  character,  is  distributed  quite  universally 
through  the  different  counties  of  the  state.  These  deposites  of  clay  are  fre- 
qucntly  associated  with  pebbles  of  lime,  which  render  them  unfit  for  the  manu- 
tacture  of  bricks  ;  but  since  these  pebbles  in  many  instances  assume  a  stratified 
and  alternating  position,  the  clay  may,  with  a  little  care,  be  obtained  nearly  or 
quite  free  from  them. 

In  Washtenaw  county,  near  Ann  Arbor,  a  bed  has  been  opened,  and  tha 
clay  used  in  the  manufacture  of  earthen  ware  with  very  good  success 

Near  the  middle  branch  of  the  Clinton  river,  in  Macomb  county,  a  bed  of 
clay  occurs,  of  superior  quality,  both  in  fineness  of  texture  and  freedom  from 
calcareous  matter,  and  is  belter  fitted  for  the  manufacture  of  pottery  than  any 
I  have  seen  in  our  state.* 

Sand. 
Nearly  the  whole  western  coast  of  the  peninsula,  immediately  upon  Lake 
Michigan,  IS  bordered  by  a  succession  of  sand  dunes,  or  hills  of  loose  sand  not 
unfrcqnently  attaining  a  considerable  altitude.    These  hills  are  in  many  places 
free  from  all  vegetation,  while  in  others  they  are  covered  by  a  growth  of  dwarf 
pines  and  cedar  ;  and,  more  rarely,  by  olher  timber.     When  free  from  ve-reta- 
tion,  the  hills  are  constantly  undergoing  change  from  the  action  of  the  wrnds 
the  sand  gradually  encroaching  upon  the  land.     The  moveable  sands,  which 
are  now  unnoticed,  may  hereafter  become  matters  of  serious  inconvenience,  more 
particularly  in  those  portions  where  the  timber  may  be  heedlessly  rer^oved 
These  dunes  are  not  unfrequently  composed  of  sand  tolerably  well  adapted  to 
the  manufacture  of  glass,  though  its  value  is  unfrequently  much  impaired  by 
the  presence  of  particles  of  dark-colored  minerals. 

Five  to  six  miles  north-west  of  Monroe,  the  disintegration  of  a  siliceous  lime- 
rock  has  given  rise  to  a  bed  of  sand  of  a  very  superior  quality,  and  of  consider- 
able  extent.  The  sand  is  of  a  snowy  whiteness,  formed  of  exceedingly  email 
and  angular  grains,  and  is  nearly  pure  quartz.  These  qualities  render  it  better 
adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  glass  than  any  other  that  has  been  seen  in  tha 
state. 

*  My  attention  was  called  to  this  by  Isaac  W.  Avorill,  Esq.  who  exposed 
the  bed  while  conducting  operations  with  a  view  of  improving  the  salt  sprincrg 
of  Macomb  county.  «-        a  r     t, 


Mt 


APPENDIX. 


^/| 


Marl. 

Oar  sfito  abound!  in  depoiitei  of  marl,  compofted  of  recent  ihells,  and  in 
•ome  few  instancei  it  haa  been  used  in  tlio  manufacture  of  lime.  Inexhausti- 
ble bedi  exist  in  the  northern  partof  St.  Joseph  and  the  adjoininji;  counties,  and, 
as  a  manure,  will  provo  invaluable  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  those  portion! 
of  our  state.  Several  extensive  beds  were  seen  in  Jackson  county,  as  aleo  in 
Monroe  county,  near  the  city  of  Monroe. 

The  great  value  of  these  beds  of  marl  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  our  state  it 
by  no  means  appreciated,  and  its  value  as  a  manure  appears  to  be  but  littla 
understood  by  those  to  whom  the  information  ia  of  the  utmost  practical  impor. 
tance.  My  mind  was  colled  more  emphatically  to  (his  subject  from  having 
•een,  m  the  early  part  of  the  acason,  one  of  our  farmers  making  use  of  plaster 
(transported  from  a  distance  and  at  a  great  expense,)  upon  the  sandy  portions 
of  his  lands,  while  the  marl,  in  his  immediate  neighborhood,  and  which  would 
have  answered  his  purpose  nearly  equally  well,  was  wholly  neglected. 

Bog  Iron  ore. 
Deposites  of  bog  iron  ore  were  seen  at  numerous  points  on  the  peninsula,  but 
it  exists  in  so  small  quantities  at  most  of  the  places  examii'°d  as  to  be  of  littla 
value. 

Near  the  village  of  Kalomazoo,  a  somewhat  extensive  bod  of  this  ore  waa 
Been,  which,  it  is  conceived,  may  prove  of  some  practical  importance.  It  was 
cursorily  examined  over  an  extent  of  perhaps  forty  to  fifty  acres,  and  was  found 
to  vary  from  a  few  inches  to  three  or  four  feet  in  thickness.  Three  specimens 
of  the  ore  subjected  to  analysis  gave  the  following  mean  result  for  one  hundred 
grains 

Peroxid  of  iron,  78^45  grains. 

Silica  and  alumina,  7  95 

Carbonate  of  lime,  |  jq 

Water,  12^50 


<i 
<i 


f4 


100,00  grains. 

At  a  distance  of  six  or  seven  miles  norm- west  from  Detroit,  and  in  the  county 
of  Wayne,  bog  ore  occurs  at  intervals,  over  an  extent  of  several  hundred  acres, 
but  I  have  not  been  able  to  examine  it  with  sufficient  care  to  determine  its  ex- 
tent ;  I  think,  however,  there  can  be  little  doubt  but  it  exists  in  sufficient  quan- 
titles  to  be  turned  to  practical  account. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Grand  river,  in  Ottawa  county,  is  a  somewhat  limited 
bed  of  bog  ore,  but  the  specimens  subjected  to  examination  were  found  to  con- 
tain too  many  impurities  to  bo  of  much  if  any  value. 

Mineral  Springs. 
Several  springs,  charged  with  sulphuretted  hydrogen,  occur  near  Monroe,  in 
Monroe  county,  and  the  waters  being  also  charged  with  carbonate  of  lime,  give 
rise  to  considerably  elevated  mounds  of  calcareous  tufa,  and  from  which  the  wa- 
ter is  usually  discharged  in  a  constant  stream.  A  spring  ol  much  larger  size 
occurs  in  a  marsh  near  the  town  of  Havre  in  that  county.  This  latter^spring, 
which  has  a  circumference  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  feet  and  a  depth  of  thirty' 
five  feet,  discharges  a  sufficient  qnantity  of  water,   were  it  favorably  situated, 


APPENDIX. 


360 


to  .urn  a  mill.  Tho  .,uantity  of  iulphurettcd  hydrogen  conUined  by  thi. 
•prmg,  ..  al.o  Ihco  near  (ho  city  of  Monroo,  tho.igh  not  great , ,«  »uHiciont 
to  characterize  them,  and  to  render  thc.nof  con.ider.blo  value  in  !»».  treatment, 
more  particularly,  of  nitaneo.w  ducaHOH.        •  ircaimeni, 

rec)'io"n  "Tn'ZT."''  ^'T^  "'"^  ''''""'"«^'  ""-^^  '*•"  "'°'''  '"""-'-to  di- 
rection of  Dr.  Abraham  Sager,  principal  aa.i.tant,  have  received  duo  atlen- 

Eiton.ive  collectiona  of  plant,  havo  been  made,  and  the  preparatory  atop, 
taken  towards  arranging  a  Flora  of  tho  state.  ' 

The  geaHon  wa»  conaiderably  advanced  before  wo  were  enabled  to  turn  our 
attention  to  the  zoolo<;y  of  the  state,  yet  several  hundred  specimens,  n.os.ly  in 
he  department,  of  Ornithology  and  Ilerpetology,  have  been  collected,  and  w  11 
furnish  aid  m  studying  these  departments  of  natural  history 

ropo^rapWeU  mapsol  the  several  counties  of  the  state,  reduced  from  the 

3t  T  k""":  """°^''  ""  '"  "  """•'  P^°S—  "-  --"..ances  wd! 
permit  and  wo  hope  during  the  progress  of  the  geological  survey  to  be  enabled 
to  render  them  minutely  accurate.  enuoica 

In  order  to  place  our  state  university  in  such  a  condition  that  it  may  hold  a 
rank  among  the  institutions  of  our  country,  it  is  very  impor-  ,.t  that  the  parent 
mslitution,  as  well  as  ,t  branches,  be  amply  supplied  with  a  collection  of  all  that 
appertain,  to  the  natural  history  of  our  own  state  at  UaU.  This  may  be  accom- 
pushed  during  the  continuance  of  the  geological  survey  which  is  in  progress 
but  not  without  much  labor  and  expense.  Since  the  making  these  collection^ 
would  so  far  ciipple  our  operations  in  the  other  departments,  in  consequence  of 
the  inadequacy  of  the  appropriation,  it  remains  to  be  decided  whether  these  de- 
partments,  which  are  being  carried  forward  with  so  much  zeal  by  the  states 
cltX  u?  ^"^  continued  as  commenced,  or  shall  be  abandoned  to  a  bare 

In  conclusion  it  may  .,ot  be  misplaced  to  allude  to  the  numerous  difficulties 
to  which  we  are  subjected  in  carrying  forward  the  investigations  before  us.    Our 
«tate  ,8  ,„  us  infancy  ;  and  although  it  is  rapidly  populating  with  an  intelli<.ent 
and  industrious  people,  they  are  at  present,  (with  the  exception  of  those  in  a%e. 
ry  tew  of  the  counties,)  thinly  spread  over  a  large  district  of  country.     The  nu- 
merous difficulties  and  privations  by  which  tl.cy  are  surro-.ndcd  have  prevent- 
ed  much  attention  even  to  the  general  character  of  the  country  around  them 
For   his  reason,  the  amount  of  local  information,  which  can  be  obtained    is 
Bjnall,  and  exceedingly  liable  to  error.     We  have  on  the  peninsula  no  mountain 
chains,  no  lofty  mural  walls  or  deep  valleys,  where  the  actual  superposition  of 
the  rocks  can  be  seen  at  a  glance;  our  quarries  of  stone  have  scarcely  been 
opened,  all  which  subject  us  to  many  difficulties.     In  addi.ion  to  all  ihis  those 
portions  to  which  the  immediate  interests  of  the  state  call  our  attention    have 
no  avenues  by  which  they  can  be  reached,  excepting  by  the  streams  or  the  trails 
of  the  Indians.     The  ascent  of  a  rapid  stream  by  canoe,  the  only  feasible  mode 
of  travelling,  and  the  only  manner  by  which  examinations  can  be  satisfaclorilv 
conducted  is  anended  by  fatigue,  labor,  and  hardships  of  the  mostsev.re  kind. 
Wading  the  strums  by  day,  and  annoyed  by  mosquetoes  at  night,  separated 
for  weeks  together  from  all  society,  were  it  not  that  the  mind  is  constantly  oc 
cupied  m  the  contemplation  of  objects  which,  from  their  symmetry  aud  beauty, 


m  ■: 


366 


APPENDIX. 


furnish  a  constant  mental  feast,  there  would  be  nothing  which  could  possibly 
compensate  for  the  hardships  endured. 


Note  X[. 
PRINCIPAL  RIVERS, 

KALAMAZ-tQ    AND    GRAND    RIVER. 

{J.  Mny^s  Report  of  the  Survty  of  the  Kalamazoo  and  Grand  River.) 
To  the  Hon.  Justice  Burdick, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Internal  Improvement : 
Sir:    In  obedience  to  my  instructions,  and  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of  the 
legislature,  authorizing  the  surveys  of  certain  rivers,  I  have  mide  an  examina- 
tion and  sjrvey  of  the  If  alamazoj  and  Grand  rivers,  which  were  committed  to 
iny  charge. 

In  performing  the  responsible  duties  appertaining  to  this  service,  I  have  en- 
deavored to  adopt  such  a  system  of  examination  as  would  best  enable  me 
to  lay  before  your  honorable  board  the  information  sought  for,  or  contemplat- 
ed by  the  act  making  appropriations  for  this  object. 

Such  of  the  rivers  as  have  been  designated  as  objects  of  attention,  so  much 
80  as  to  be  embraced  in  the  general  system  of  internal  improvement,  have,  no 
doubt,  merited  this  distinction  from  the  well-known  fact  of  their  having  al- 
ready afforded  unusual  facilities  for  transpcrto'ion  ;  and  upon  the  principle  that 
the  rights  and  interests  of  the  citizens  of  the  state  should  be  equa'.ly  cherished 
and  protected.  It  is  believed  to  be  the  duty  of  the  government  to  extend  the 
operations  of  internal  improvement  as  far  as  a  just  regard  for  the  interests  ot 
all.  and  the  capabilities  of  the  treasury,  will  permit,  t<  >e  navigable  rivers  and 
waters  within  our  state. 

Every  day  brings  with  it  additional  proof  of  their  intrinsic  value  to  the 
agricultural,  manufacturing,  and  commercial  interests  of 'he  state. 
'  But  a  few  years  have  elapsed  since  the  bircti  canoe  of  the  Indian  and  the 
battcau  of  the  trader  were  the  only  craft  to  be  seen  upon  their  placid  waters  ; 
now  the  imposing  spectacle  of  a  "  steamboat"  arrests  the  attention  of  the  re- 
tiring son  of  the  forest,  teeming  with  emigrants  and  implements  of  husbandry, 
ready  to  deface  the  last  print  of  his  foot  in  that  soil  once  so  dear  to  him  and  to 
his  nation. 

Some  facts  may  be  stated  in  regard  to  what  facilities  are  now  oiTered  by  these 
rivers  for  navigation  and  transportation,  and  such  a  statement  would  seem  to  be 
necessary  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  those  unacquainted  with  the  circum- 
stances  to  arrive  at  a  jrst  conclusion  as  to  the  propriety  of  making  appropria- 
tions for  improvements. 

I  would  here  remark,  that  most  of  the  rivers  flowing  out  of  this  peninsula 
have  a  greater  c'istnnce  from  their  mouths  than  any  other  streams  of  equal  vo- 
lume of  water  within  my  observation  or  knowledge :  this  is  accounted  for 
from  the  fact  that  they  have  a  very  uniform  descent,  and  the  fall  not  so  gi  at  in  a 
gi\\.-n  distance  as  to  produce  a  very  rapid  flow  of  the  element ;  "and  i-.  many 
instances  it  only  requires  a  reasonable  amount  of  labor  and  money  to  be  ex- 
pended, in  order  to  render  these  natural  channels  available  fo:  ali  tlie  purposes 
ef  navigation. 


APPENDIX. 


367 


■••ion,  «li,  1 1,„.,  fu,„i.h  .„™  tolZ  .  ?,'°°,'"  "■=''"""'■  of  tr.n.p.,- 

for  transportation,  that  no  more  cap  ?ahTK  •  ""'"^^'- "^  "aft  to  b.  used 
and  absolutely  required,    "''''"'''P'"'^  ^^'  ^een  mvested  than  was  profitable 

riv?r"wef:';;„ra";onheT'  "^^^  °' "'^  ■'''^'^  ^«  --  -P'oyed  on  Grand 
York  cana,r  Th  e  .  Z:TZ  rT'^Y '''''-''  '"^ -^w- 
twccn  the  mouth  of  the  rTve  ana  G  2  r"^  ""-"''  "  "'"''"'  "^'  ^^- 
of  open  boats,  carrying  fom  tea   o  fifteen  7  ^  ^"'  ^''='="'-  ^'th  a  class 

required  business.  i'„  c^ns^;  ene  wher  of  a"LT  °""'  '"^'"^^'^"^ '"  ^«  "^« 
v.amns  destined  for  the  Rapids  and  the  Int^^K^  ^°°'''  ''"^  P^°- 

Grand  Haven  the  precedin'  winter  ^^  ''°''  ''^^  '"  ^'^'^  ^'^-'x'^^'  at 

their  wharf  on  or  about  the  fir^t  of  jlly  pa,t     "       "'"''  ""^^  '^"""^"^^^  f™'" 

th^^er^;r;;£x  s^:rt  "t  ^^^  ^^  --  -^  ^-  - 

river  and  Grand  Rapids  daUyShelsfn  I''  ''^^"'=«"  "'^  -0"th  of  tho 
the  different  ports  on  Lake  Miehtan  ?  ""u"  '"""  ""^"^'^  ^^^^''''l  ^rips  to 
-outh  of  the  Kalamazoo  CbS'  ZZT^' T'  ''  ^-^--d' the 
ted  by  her  enterprizi..^,  o;„ers  tha  their  Z  "''^°"  '  ="'^  '*  '^  ^^n^it- 

realized  .s  to  hel- perf^rmancrX -fiL""'  ""^"'"'  expectations  have  beea 

^^el,:::::^^:-  -^Ej--;^-of  two^^^^  boats  Of  tho 

the  rapids,  the  other  from  the  basb  of  "he  Kent  P  "'^''"  ''  ''''  '"^^^  of 

of  Lyons,  in  the  county  of  Ionia!  Company's  canal  to  the  village 

^'7yl'«»I^o  proper  at  this  time  to  adv».t  to  another  f    *u 
'Rg  what  benefits  and  advanta-^es  a-e  deriv;H  f        lu  *'  ^^  "^"^  °^  «''ow- 

and  which  are  now  available  tol  ose  engZ^rmt-  "T'  ^'-^^'^^^^-^on, 
port,on  of  which  is  consumed  in  a  foreign  nrnk^"  ""'''"^  '"""^er.  the  greater 

number  ar.  double  m'ills.    Thre':;,-:?  f trjol' t  ^  ^^^^^^'  °^  '^'« 
the. erage  amount  of  lumber  cut  by  these  m.lirt.::  l^Z::^^:- 

same  has  been  put  into  rafts  ^'''"  '"  '^'^'y^'ght  hours  after  the 


868 


APPENDIX. 


■r 


ll>' 


m 


The  Kalamazoo  is  now  navigated  by  the  largest  class  of  what  are  termed 
Durham  boats,  from  its  mouth  to  the  village  of  Allegan,  a  distance,  by  the  river, 
of  thirty-eight  miles  ;  at  certain  stages  of  the  water  this  operation  is  extended 
to  the  village  of  Kalamazoo,  a  distance  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  seven- 
ty-five miles. 

Had  measures  been  taken  to  obtain  from  authentic  sources  the  amount  of 
transportation  and  businesson  this  stream  the  last  season,  I  make  no  doubt  but 
that  the  result  would  have  abundantly  proved  its  value  and  importance  to  the 
population  of  the  interior,  as  a  convenient  avenue  to  the  trade  and  commerce  of 
the  lake. 

What  has  been  remarked  in  relation  to  lumbering  operations  on  the  Grand 
river,  will  apply  with  peculiar  force  to  the  Kalamazoo  ;  at  no  single  period  with- 
in the  limits  of  this  state,  to  my  knowledge,  has  the  business  of  manulacturing 
lumber  been  so  exclusive  an  object  of  attention  as  at  the  village  of  Allegan  ;  1 
speak  unadviaably,  but  nevertheless  I  will  hazard  the  assertioli  that  the  mills 
at  this  place  have  cut  the  last  season  more  than  four  millions  of  feet,  a  great 
proportion  of  which  has  been  floated  down  this  river  to  Lake  Michigan,  to  be 
there  shipped  for  market. 

These  facts  are  here  introduced  merely  for  the  purpose  of  showing,  that  in 
the  event  of  there  being  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  legislature  To  appro- 
priate money  for  the  improvement  of  these  rivers,  that  some  evidence  may  bo 
at  hand  by  way  of  showing  that  the  present  business  operations  on  the  same 
will  justify  such  an  amount  of  appropriations  as  will  be  sufficient  to  remove 
some  of  the  obstacles  which  have  heretofore  embarrassed  the  business  of  navi- 
gation. 

In  making  the  examinations  upon  which  the  following  estimates  have  been 
predicated,  reference  has  been  had  to  a  system,  which  I  have  confidence  to  be- 
lieve was  the  only  proper  one  to  be  adopted  under  exisiting  circumstances.  It 
must  appear  evident  from  a  single  glance  at  the  nature  of  the  case,  that  that 
which  demands  the  tirst  attention,  and  which  involved  the  question  of  the  prac- 
ticability of  improving  the  navigation  of  these  streams,  independent  from  slack 
water  operations,  was  an  examination  by  soundings  of  the  depth  of  water,  and 
acquiring  full  information  and  knowledge  as  to  the  nature  of  the  impediment 
that  now  exists,  and  necessary  to  be  abated. 

Having,  therefore,  decided  upon  the  manner  and  mode  of  acquiring  these 
facts,  it  became  necessary  to  have  reference  to  the  waters  in  these  rivers  re- 
spectively, before  any  labor  could  with  propriety  or  profit  be  bestowed  towards 
the  attainment  of  the  object ;  as  it  was  important  that  soundings  and  other  .  t- 
aminations  connected  with  this  operation,  should  be  made  at  a  time  when  the 
rivers  were  at  their  low  water  mark,  lest  false  and  delusive  results  might  be  the 
consequence. 

I  therefore  was  deterred  from  making  the  said  surveys  until  some  of  the  last 
days  of  July,  when  by  observation  I  found  that  these  streams  were  down  to 
their  minimum  stage. 

On  the  27th  of  July  last  I  entered  upon  the  duties  appertaining  to  this 
investigation.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kalamazoo,  provided  with  the 
necessary  instruments  and  assistance  to  enable  me  to  prosecute  the  survey  with 
economy  and  despat  h  ;  having  in  view, 


•:.v-^^ 


APPENDIST. 


369 


First,  to  determine  how  far  this  river  was  susceptible  of  being  made  navi- 
gable  by  merely  removng  the  existing  obstacles  and  impediments 

Second,  to  devote  as  much  time  to  the  examination  of  the  character  position 
and  nature  of  such  impediments,  as  would  enable  me  to  form  a  just  JstJma  Hf 
the  expense  of  their  abatement  and  removal.  "snmatc  of 

1  shall  proceed  now  to  give  the  results  of  these  examinations,  by  dividin-.  the 

mto  three  divisions  orsections,  embracing  the  following  distances  viz     from  h!! 
mouth  to  the  village  of  Ricl.nond,  a  distance  of  twelvL  mile        ;om  Richmol 
to  where  the  river  crosses  the  north  line  of  town.hip  2  north,   an^eH  wes    a 
distance  of  ten  miles ;  and  from  the  last  place  to  the  village  of  Illegan  a  1 
tance  of  sixteen  miles.  °         -^"egan,  a  ciis- 

The  soundings  on  the  first  division  of  twelve  miles  indicate  an  avera-odpnth 
of  water  for  the  distance  of  eight  miles,  of  twelve  feet ;  and  tLTast  Zf  oft« 
and  a-ha  f ;  the  channel  of  ,he  stream  maintains  an  average  wdhf  about  two 

h  u?%h:';nrobr"r^'°"-'"1  -^  ''-''''  ^'  onetndfh'rf'mt   p^ 
nour.     i  he  only  obstructions  noticed  were  in  the  la«t  four  milr-,  onnoio.-         c 

trees  which  had  fallen  from  the  banks,  with  their  tops       ;cTt 'into  t    'San 
ne  of  ,he  nver,  forming  serious  obstacles  to  navigation,  Iside^s  prcduc  n  '    a 

beZdC'  '    ""'^  "'  ''"""''  *^"''  '^P°^''^^  °^  ^""-'  ^"  ^"^^^ 
We  have  now  arrived  to  a  point  in  this  rivei  where  it  becomes  necessary  to 

sand  bars.    The  examination  now  must  have  reference  to  the  practicabdi  v  of 

improving  the  same  by  what  is  termed  slack  water  Practicability  of 

The  Kalamazoo  has  a  average  fall  of  about  three  feet  per  mile  from  the  vil 

fetm  trrr!'^°""  '  andcnnsecuentlymayL  conlilerd  apS 
stream.  At  low  water  it  presents  a  continual  series  of  ponds  and  rnnirl«  .  tl,« 
greyest  fan  in  any  given  distance,  and  which  is  now  use^^^r^lX^r;  i: 

In>  reviewing  the  result  of  my  labors  on  this  part  of  the  river  I  find  mv 
self  involved  m  much  doubt  as  to  what  should  I  the  proper\Ut  o„  S 

The  embankments,  however,  do  not  arise  from  any  peculiar  difficulty  in  de- 
termimng  as  to  the  construction  of  the  necessary  iorks,  cither  in  te  Tatur^ 
of  dams  or  locks  but  from  the  danger  of  inundating  much  o  the  v^  able  bol 
tom  lands  on  both  margins  of  this  river.  valuable  boU 

In  projecting  a  series  of  improvements  and  structures,  such  as  become  nece«. 
sary  in  order  to  accomplish  the  object  in  this  case,  must,  I  app  ehend  caU 
jnto  .quisition  the  best  judgment  and  skill,  combined  wUh  pr'a'cticaTkno:' 

heawTrel?:.m  ';lr  "PP-'-'^^ "f" -'"essing  the  effect  of  damming 

of  en.  n  err.'  '^  "°""T  '^'  ^'""""'''^  ^°""''^t*='-  ^^'"'  ^^is  specie: 

of  engineering.    In  every  case  where  an  obstruction  is  placed  in  a  stream  for 

the  purpose  of  raising  its  waters  abo.-e  its  customary  level,  as  a  necessary  co^ 

I'cam.  ^  ^^''  '"  ''■"P"'''""  '"  ''"'  ^'"'""'^  °^  "•"'•'^  fl°-i"S  in  the 

47 


8T0 


/PPENDIX. 


It. 


h    -I    T 


It  is  therefore  plain,  that  in  order  to  attain  the  desircJ  object,  as  in  this  case, 
it  is  not  nccejsary  that  tho  aggregate  altitude  of  all  the  dnrns  should  equal  the 
total  amount  of  fall  in  the  strea.ii  ;  and  in  order  to  arrive  at  correct  conclusions 
as  to  what  proportion  the  height  of  all  the  dams  should  bear  to  the  whole  fall, 
questions  of  the  most  subtle  and  embarrassing  nature  present  themselves  for  so- 
lution, involving  hydrostatic  principles,  and  the  laws  regulating  the  gravitatioo 
and  flow  of  fluids. 

The  attention  I  have  given  to  the  investigation  of  this  subject  has  enabled 
mo  to  arrive  at  the  following  conclusions,  viz  : 

That  it  will  require  twenty-one  dams,  located  with  reference  to  the  different 
rapids,  having  in  the  whole  an  aggregate  height  of  seventy-five  feet,  in  connex- 
ion with  suitable  lochs,  in  order  to  approximate  anywhere  near  to  the  desired 
object  and  not  injure  tho  bottom  lands  on  tho  river. 

By  this  arrangement,  no  dam  would  have  a  higher  elevation  than  four  feet. 
In  one  or  two  cases  side  cuts  may  be  necessary,  made  by  way  of  abridging  the 
distance. 

GRAND   RIVER. 

Before  entering  into  the  details  and  estimates  appertaining  to  Grand  river,  it 
may  not  be  amiss  to  advert  to  some  things  not  boibre  noticed  in  my  general  and 
preliminary  remarks. 

The  mouth  of  Grand  river  is  the  only  natural  harbor  on  Lake  Michigan. 
It  is  access  ble  at  all  times  during  the  season  of  navigation,  and  has,  in  a  multi- 
tude of  instances,  afforded  a  safe  retreat,  and  protection  to  life  and  property, 
from  the  tremendous  storms  on  the  lake. 

The  mouths  of  all  other  rivers  and  harbors  on  this  lake  are  more  or  less  ob- 
'  structed  by  deposites  of  sand,  and  in  some  cases,  after  a  severe  storm,  their  en- 
trances are  nearly  closed  by  a  deposite  of  this  kind. 

Hence  the  harbor  at  the  mouth  of  Grand  river  has  become  of  utmost  conse- 
quence to  the  commerce  of  our  lakes,  as  a  safe  and  convenient  retreat  from 
storms  and  danger.  The  value  of  this  river,  as  a  natural  avenue  of  communi-. 
cation  to  the  interior  of  the  state,  can  only  be  appreciated  but  by  keepinc  con- 
stantly in  mind  the  facts  before  adduced,  of  its  present  use  and  importance  as  a 
medium  of  transportation.  It  must,  I  apprehend,  if  these  things  are  kept  in 
view,  strike  even  those  the  most  indifferent  to  the  subject  of  internal  improve, 
ment,  as  correct  and  sound  policy  to  extend  the  fostering  hand  of  government 
to  the  impiovement  of  this  river  by  adequate  appropriations. 

This  river  has  been  examined  from  its  mouth  to  the  village  of  Lyons,  in  Ionia 
county,  a  distance,  by  the  stream,  of  ninety  miles.  But  before  I  proceed  to  no« 
tice  the  several  obstructions  and  impediments,  it  may  be  proper  to  obserra 
something  in  relation  to  its  general  features. 

I  found  by  repeated  observations  that  this  stream  from  its  mouth  to  the  foot 
of  the  rapids,  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  has  an  average  width  of  eight  hundred 
feet ;  and,  in  fact,  at  the  rapids  it  exceeds  a  thousand,  and  from  the  head  of  the 
rapids  to  the  mouth  of  the  Maple  at  Lyons,  its  average  width  is  500  feet. 

In  this  distance  it  receives  several  large  tributaries,  to  wit :  Flat  river.  Thorn- 
apple,  and  the  Rouge  ;  its  bends  and  curves  are  large  and  easy,  and  its  gene- 
ral course  nearly  west,  with  the  exception  of  the  great  bend  between  the  mouth 


APPENDIX. 


371 


of  the  Thornapple  and  the  rapids.    The  fall  in  the  river  from  Lyons  to  the  head 
of  the  rapids  .3  31  feet ;  from  head  of  rapids  to  foot   15  feet  •  IZ  f        r    !    c 

1  would  take  this  opportunity  a^ain  to  remark  that  tu^  ■        """''• 

other  a  narrow  bar,  of  coarse  gravel  and  stone.  ' 

I  presume  there  is  not  to  be  found  a  stream,  in  any  State  of  iho  TT  • 

/    .^mediately  connected  with  tide  water,  so  fr^  from  flood  woo^sunC^^^^^^ 

:;:;::ts;i;:::;s;dSr '-'''--  ^--.asthear^r^ 

anJ?o?f'h?r"'-'""r  ^  '°""'  "'*"''""  upon  which  to  found  an  estimate- 
sunken  ,0,,  together  wi.h  deepening rso^th  cZ;:    „'!  r^r  ItoVe' 

it  J-  'If ''r!  '*?  ,P'''°  "'"  '^'^"''''^  ^y  "  ^t'^'"-"  °f  "'"e  rock,  which  shows 

a  '  11  ?'';'  '■?'  ■■""  """^  '"  "''^'^  ^-•-'  f-  -^  distance  o  a  rl  1  e  nd  ^ 
I'alf.  Its  inclination  ,s  remarkably  uniform  ;  causing  the  water  of  the  river  t^ 
descend  with  a  velocity  due  to  a  filleen  feet  fall,  wiUiout  noile  0  clZt  on 
comrnrr"  "       rP;"'°"  ''  "^  P^^P^^'y  -  ^^e  east  side  of  tireTapid"' 

fZT    h    TZT  '''  ?'"'  ''""'P''"^'  '^^^•''  "^^  "^  g-«'  '^'^P-'-.  cut  a  canal 
f'om   he  head  of  the  rapids  to  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  present  steam 
boat  anding     This  canal  is  80  feet  wide,  and  ha'  a  depth  of  four  and  t^f 

ever  be"?'  1"     r", ''  "''"""^  '"  '''  P''^^"''"^  ^''^^  '-S-t  boats  that  w  1 
ever  be  found  useful  or  convenient  for  river  navic^ation 

Could  the  state  enter  into  any  arrangement  wilh  this  company,  for  the  use  of 
the,r  works  upon  equitable  terms,  it  would  be  by  far  the  least'  xpei^ivep  an 
for  passing  these  rapids  ;  and  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  that  such  an  ar- 
rangement could  be  made  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  make  a  summary  statement  of  the  obstacles  noticed 
•n  my  examination  from  the  head  of  the  rapids  to  Lyons,  descri  n.  he  n  ure 
of  the  obstructions  and  place  of  location,  as  follows  •  ° 

From  the  head  of  the  rapids  to  section  27,  town  7  north,  ran^e  10  west  a 
shor  d,stance  below  the  mouth  of  the  Thornapple,  being  a  distance  of  about  18 
miles,  the  water  ,s  of  good  dep'.h :  but  at  the  foot  of  a  small  island  opposite   ad 

nd  5  t7w  ''r'tn  "''  "^"^"■'-^^  and  sunken  logs;  opposite  sections  4 
and  5,  town  6  north,  range  8  west,  flood  and  sunken;  at  section  10,  town  6 
nor  I ,  .  :.,e  8  west,  a  gravelly  bar,  and  large  stones,  40  in  length;  opposite 
«ect.o„  s.  ,  town  G  north,  range  7  west,  snags  and  flood-wood  ;  at  a  b;nd  oppo- 


372 


APPENDIX. 


J I  r, 


t      'H 


Bite  section  31,  fown  7  north,  range  7  west,  flood  wood,  and  snags;  at  bend 
opposite  section  19,  town  7  nortli,  range  6  west,  snags  and  flood. 

At  and  below  tiie  mouth  of  Prairie  creek,  a  gravelly  and  stony  bar,  80  rods 
long  J  from  thence  to  the  mouth  of  the  Maple,  all  clear. 

ST.    JOSEPH    RIVER. 

(Charles  F.  Smith's  Report  of  the  Survey  of  the  St.  Joseph  river.) 

To  the  Honorable,  the  Commissioners  of  Internal  Improvement  of  the  Stale  of 

Michigan. 

Gentlemen — Having  received  instructions  from  you  to  make  a  strict  and 
careful  examination  of  the  St.  Joseph  river,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
practical>il.ty  and  cost  of  improving  its  navigation,  including  directions  to  notice 
its  rise,  depth,  width,  islands,  and  character  of  its  bed  and  banks,  particularly 
where  any  obstructions  exist  and  improvements  might  be  made,  with  the  difli- 
culties  to  be  overcomo,  the  means  of  doing  it,  and  the  effect  of  the  improvement 
on  the  adjoining  country  ;  together  with  the  size,  navigability,  and  hydraulic 
power  of  its  tributaries,  comprising  in  my  observations  every  thing  necessary 
to  describe  and  make  a  complete  map  of  the  river.  By  the  assistance  of  Mr.  J. 
R.  Grout  i  have  completed  the  survey,  and  am  now  enabled  to  present  you  the 
following  report  • 

The  river  is  now  navigable,  in  ordinary  water,  for  small  steamboats  as  far  as 
Niles,  and  for  keelboats,  propell      by  poles,  as  far  as  Three  Rivers  :  but  at  cer- 
,    tain  seasons  of  the  year  the  navigation  is  attended  with  much  difficulty,  owing 
to  numerous  bars  and  the  velocity  of  water;  tire  former  of  which  is  attributed 
to  several  causes.    The  most  prominent  are,  a  variation  in  the  volume  of  water, 
direction  and  action  of  the  current,  unequal  hardness  of  the  soil,  and  the  mat- 
ter with  which  the  stream  is  often  charged.     The  rise  of  the  water  increases 
the  velocity  and  action  of  the  current,  in  consequence  of  which,  from  those  parts 
of  the  stream  where  the  earth  is  not  of  sufficient  hardness  to  resist  this  action 
it  is  torn  up  and  transported  to  other  parts,  where  the  force  of  the  current  is  le.«s 
and  being  there  deposited,  forms  bars  ;  and  in  many  cases  a  second  channel  is 
made,  which,  by  a  division  of  the  water  info  two  courses,  renders  the  depth  of  it 
too  little  in  either.     The  difference  between  the  high  and  low  water  mark  vanes 
from  four  to  six  feet,  according  to  the  width  of  the  stream.    The  action  of  the 
current,  even  in  low  water,  is  in  many  places  too  great  for  the  tenacity  of  the 
soil.    To  diminish,  therefore,  the  current  where  it  is  necessary,  and  to  render 
the  water  of  sufficient  depth  for  the  purposes  of  navigation,  appears  to  be  the 
principal  object  for  consideration  in  the  improvements  of  the  stream.     For  effect- 
mg  thorn,  is  recommended  a  system  of  damming,  locking,  and  occasionally  ex- 
cavating where  economy  renders  it  advisable.     In  making  the  examination,  I 
have  had  in  view  the  full  improvement  of  the  river.     The  survey  was  com- 
menced by  taking  as  a  plane  of  reference  the  surface  of  the  water  at  Messrs. 
Porter  &  Go's  warehouse  in  tlio  vilhge  of  St.  Joseph.     The  river  at  this  place 
is  nine  hundred  feet  in  width,  and  of  ample  depth  for  the  largest  vessels  that 
navigate  the  lakes.    A^  its  mouth  it  is  narrower  and  of  less  depth  ;  but  by  the 
judicious  location  of  the  pier  which  is  now  const:  ucting,  the  bar,  which  former- 


H 


!  [I' 


ArPENnix. 


373 


jy  obstructed  the  mouth  of  the  river,  rendering  its  entrt  'ce  difficult  and  often 
dangerous,  has  in  a  great  measure  washed  away,  opening  a  direct  and  safe  com- 
munication with  the  laite,  which  promises,  when  the  pier  is  completed,  to  render 
this  a  safe  and  commodious  harbor.  On  the  north  side  of  the  river,  opposite  St. 
Josepli,  is  an  extensive  marsh,  tiirough  which  flowe  the  Paw  Paw,  and  enters 
the  St.  Joseph  just  below  the  bridge.  This  stream  at  its  mouth  is  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  feet  wide  and  six  feet  deep.  The  current  for  several  miles  is  slow ; 
the  adjacent  land,  in  high  water,  liable  to  be  overflowed.  Keelboats  occasion- 
ally ascend  it  as  far  as  Waterford,  about  thirty  miles ;  but  owing  to  its  circuitous 
route  and  want  of  depth  at  certain  points,  it  is  not  much  used  for  the  purposes 
of  navigation.  Above  the  commencement  of  quick  water,  hydraulic  power  to 
a  considerable  extent  can  be  obtained,  and  there  are  now  upon  it  three  mills  in 
constant  operation. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  St.  Joseph,  commencing  just  above  the  village,  a 
marsh  puts  out  from  the  bluflT,  around  which  the  river  makes  a  large  bend.  This 
marsh  extends  a  distance  of  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  to  the  orchard  farm,  appo- 
site  whirh  are  two  islands.  The  main  stream  flows  between  them.  Its  bed  is 
sand,  and  the  water  in  the  shoalest  part  is  six  feci.  Should  this  depth  diminish, 
to  the  injury  of  the  navigation,  by  the  widening  of  the  other  channels,  they  may 
be  closed  at  a  small  expense.  Half  a  mile  above  this  is  the  mouth  of  Pine 
creek,  which  comes  in  from  the  south.  It  is  fifty  feet  wide  and  four  deep,  and 
for  bome  distance  is  sluggish.  The  quantity  of  its  water  is  variable.  There 
is  a  saw  mill  about  six  milej  from  its  mouth,  and  valuable  mill  sites  at  other 
points. 

Just  below  the  village  of  Royalton,  three  miles  from  St.  Joseph,  is  a  large  is- 
land, occupying  the  middle  of  the  stream.  The  right  channel  is  shoal  near  the 
head  of  it,  being  but  fivo  feet  in  depth.  Its  bed  is  a  fine  compact  sand,  which 
the  ordinary  current  does  not  move.  The  left  channel  at  the  foot  of  the  island 
has  but  four  and  a  half  feet  of  water.  Its  bed  is  a  coarse  loose  gravel,  and  in 
consequence  of  the  action  of  the  water  upon  its  banks,  is  gradually  widening. 
At  present  it  is  unnecessary  to  improve  this  place  ;  but  should  the  left  channel 
continue  widenintr,  owing  to  the  direction  of  the  current,  it  may  be  advisable  to 
close  the  other.  Yellow  creek  enters  from  the  south,  two  and  three-fourths  miles 
above  Royalton.  Its  width  is  twelve,  and  depth  four  feet.  It  dischorges  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  water,  but  as  its  fall  has  not  been  ascertained,  the  extent 
of  its  water  power  is  unknown.  Until  we  arrive  at  the  Oxbow,  the  state  of  the 
river  requires  but  a  single  remark  :  opposite  Valparaiso  it  is  broad,  and  the  cur- 
rent too  strong  for  the  permanency  of  its  banks,  but  at  present  the  depth  of  wa'.dr 
is  suflicient. 

Pipestone  creek  enters  the  St.  Joseph  seven  miles  from  its  mouth.  It  is  one 
hundred  feet  wide  and  two  and  a  half  deep.  The  current  is  rapid,  and  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  from  its  junction  with  the  St.  Joseph  there  is  a  saw-mill  with 
ten  feet  fall,  and  above  it  are  several  valuable  mill  sites,  but  unimproved.  From 
St.  Joseph  to  Niles,  the  river  varies  in  width  from  three  to  four  hundred  feet ; 
and  the  valley  from  one  fourth  to  three  fourths  of  a  mile  wide,  through  which  it 
runs  with  a  winding  course,  sometimes  crossing  it  obliquely,  at  others  neariy  at 
right  angles,  and  occasionally,  after  making  a  large  sweep,  returning  to  the 
point  which  it  had  just  passed.   The  O.xbow  is  an  instance  of  this  kind.    Here, 


374 


APPENDIX. 


r;^! 


after  making  a  circuit  of  a  mile  and  one-fourtii,  it  returns  to  within  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  feet  where  the  current,  by  the  direction  of  the  stream,  is  deflect- 
ed  agamst  the  upper  and  lower  hanks,  which  it  is  fast  wearing  away,  and  will 
undoubtedly  soon  force  a  passage  through.  The  channel  on  the  upper  side  is 
much  obstructed  by  the  trees  that  have  been  undermined  and  fallen  into  it. 
By  a  cut  across  this  place,  the  distance  will  be  much  shortened.  These  con- 
siderations, together  with  the  necessity  of  slackening  the  current  above,  renders 
It  advisable  to  construct  here  a  dam  of  two  and  a  half  feet  in  height.  Frora 
this  point  to  Little  Russia,  four  and  a  half  miles,  the  distance  to  which  the  in- 
fluence of  the  dam  will  extend,  there  are  no  obstructions,  except  a  few  snags, 
which  can  be  easily  removed.  The  banks  that  are  now  in  peveral  places  wear- 
ing away,  would,  by  diminishing  the  current,  be  protected ;  a  remark  that  is 
ahke  applicable  to  similar  places  on  the  river. 

At  Little  Russia,  a  dam  of  three  feet,  which  is  the  most  that  can  be  given 
without  overflowing  the  land,  will  be  required  ;  and  another  at  the  bend  below 
the  Devil's  Elbow,  opposite  Mr.  Barns'  farm,  of  three  and  a  half  feet.     Between 
these  dams  two  small  creeks  discharge  themselves.    Kimmel's  from  the  south, 
affords  water  for  a  saw-mill,  and  Walling's  from  the  north,  is  a  permanent  stream, 
affording  sufficient  power  for  ordinary  milling  purposes.    The  dam  at  the  Devil'a 
Elbow  will  overcome  the  difficulties  of  the  icmainder  of  the   river  to  Ber- 
rien,  22J  miles  from  St,  Josepli.    At  the  Devil's  Elbow  the  stream  is  broad, 
and  shallow,  and  so  rapid  as  to  render  it  extremely  difficult  in  ascending  it. 
The    bed   and  banks  at  these  different  points    are   favorable   to  th-1    con- 
struction and   permanency   of  dams,  and  materials  for  them  may  be  had 
with  facility  in  the  immediate  vicinity.     At  Berrien  are  two  islands.    By  clear- 
ing the  south  branch,  the  navigation  will  be  made  good  past  them.     A  fhort 
distance  above  them,  a  dam  of  three  feet  is  required.     At  the  foot  of  Shoema- 
ker's island.  Spring  brook  comes  in  from  the  north.  There  are  two  saw-mills  up- 
on it,  which  may  be  kepi  in  operation  during  the  year.     Three  miles  further  up, 
another  dam  of  four  feet  is  necessary.     The  water  by  this  dam  will  be  slacken- 
ed to  O.  Sneyder's,  a  distance  of  2i  miles,  where  a  dam  of  five  feet  may  be 
built,  rendering  the  navigation  good  to  Moccasin  shoals.    Between  Berrien 
and  this  place  are  numerous  small  springs  and  rivulets  of  excellent  water,  and 
though  not  of  sufficient  size  for  milling  purposes,  yet  of  great  value  to  the'agn- 
eulturist.    Lyback's  falling  branch,  however,  which  comes  in  from  the  south, 
half  a  mile  above  Bartlott's  island,  is  a  stream  of  considerable  value.     It  has  a' 
fall  within  three  hundred  feet  of  its  mouth,  of  fifteen  feet,  and  is  capable  of 
driving  two  run  of  stone.    The  Moccasin  shoals,  together  with  the  ripple,  em- 
brace a  distance  of  about  two  miles.    The  stream  is  broad,  shoal,  and  much 
broken  by  islands,  the  largest  of  which  are  the  Needle  and  Moccasin.     A  dam 
of  five  feet,  to  overcome  these  difficulties,  will  be  required  at  the  elbow  below 
the  shoals.     Materials  for  this,  as  well  as  for  the  last  three,  are  to  be  had  on 
the  spot.     Two  and  three-fourth  miles  above  the  Moccasin  ripple,  the  river  is  a 
deep,  navigable  stream.    Opposite  the  village  of  Benton  is  McCoy's  creek,  an 
important  stream,  twelve  feet  wide  and  two  deep,  and  having  on  it  three  saw- 
rnillb  of  S,  10,  and  15  feet  head.     It  is  about  seven  miles  in  length,  and  takes 
its  rise  in  a  large  marsh.    Two  miles  above  t.iis  creek,  a  dam  of  3i  feet  will 


9 


APPETHmX. 


375 


blacken  the  water  to  Wesaw  village,  and  at  this  point  9  dam  of  five  feet  will 
correct  the  state  of  the  stream  to  Niles,  forty -one  miles  fiom  St.  Joseph. 

The  Dowagiac,  which  enters  from  the  north  half  a  mile  below  Niles,  is  an 
important  stream.  The  width  at  its  mouth  is  75  feet,  and  depth  2 J  feet.  '  There 
is  a  Houring  and  saw-miU  at  this  plane,  and  also  half  a  mile  above  it,  and  other 
valuable  sites  still  higher  up.  The  water  privilege  at  its  mouth  is  owned  by  a 
company,  who  contemplate  taking  the  whole  stream  to  the  brow  of  the  bluff- 
just  below  Niles.  This  operation,  the  expense  of  which  will  be  moderate,  will 
command  a  fall  of  twelve  feet,  creating  a  power  sufficient  to  propel  ei-'htor  ten 
run  of  stones.  ° 

At  Niles  the  navigation  is  greatly  interrupted  by  the  ripple  below  the  bridge 
and  the  island  above  it.  The  dam  required  will  be  four  feet,  and  placed  at 
some  point  between  Beeson's  warehouse  and  the  bridge.  The  ne.xt  dam  of 
three  feet,  at  Grandad  ripple,  two  miles  above  Niles,  will  effect  the  object  as 
far  as  the  village  of  Bertrand  ;  here  a  dam  may  be  built,  cither  above  or  below 
the  bridge.  The  former  place  would  be  preferable,  because  it  will  there  admit 
of  a  greater  height,  being  five  feet.  This  is  the  last  dam  required  on  this  part 
of  the  river  in  the  state  of  Michigan.  The  distance  from  the  mouth  of  the 
stream  to  the  Indiana  line  is  48J  miles.  The  whole  rise  is  68J  feet.  The 
number  of  dams  12.  The  amount  of  rise  they  overcome,  46^  feet.  Sprin<» 
brook  coming  in  from  the  right  at  the  village  of  Bertrand,  is  half  a  mile  in  lenath" 
and  discharges  w^ter  sufficient  to  run  a  saw-mill  the  greater  part  of  the  year ; 
and  one-fourth  of  a  mile  above,  on  the  same  side,  is  a  small  brook,  afl^ording 
water  sufficient  for  some  light  machinery,  as  a  carding  machine.  Three-iourths 
of  a  mile  above  the  village,  Pokagon  creek  enters  from  the  left.  It  is  about 
three  miles  in  length,  and  the  fall  at  its  mouth  is  such  as  admits  of  the  most  ad- 
vantageous  application  of  its  water  as  a  power,  which  is  probably  sufficient  to 
drive  two  run  of  stones  constantly. 

The  bluffs,  through  the  portion  of  the  river  described,  vary  from  thirty  to  sixty 
feet  in  height.  From  JMr.  Grant's  observations,  they  are  found  to  be  composed 
of  several  different  strata.  The  most  extensive  and  prevailing  being  sand,  marl, 
indurated  or  earthy,  and  clay.  The  latter,  though  sometimes  occupying  a  mid-' 
die  position,  is  generally  the  lowest.  In  some  places  it  is  nearly  pure*^  but  in 
the  greater  number  of  instances,  contains  such  a  portion  of  gravel  as  renders  it 
a  very  hard  earth.  The  natural  bed  of  the  stream  is  composed  of  it.  Aware 
of  the  great  value  of  stone  in  a  quarter  where  it  is  so  scarce,  a  careful  examina- 
tion  has  been  made  of  the  places  near  the  river  where  there  are  indications  of 
it  Boulders  are  occasionally  seen  in  almost  every  bluff,  but  the  first  appear- 
ance of  stone  in  any  quantity  is  in  the  bluff  on  C.  Farley's  land,  opposite  the 
extreme  of  the  Oxbow.  By  an  examination,  it  proves  to  be  sand  and  gravel 
united  by  a  calcareous  cement.  It  has  not  sufficient  strength  and  durability 
for  building-stone,  but  is  suitable  for  dam  or  crib  work.  Five  miles  further  up, 
on  the  land  of  Messrs.  Porter  &  Co.,  and  at  the  place  fixed  upon  for  the  second 
dam,  is  a  species  of  lime  rock  called  calcareous  tuffa.  It  differs  from  the 
others,  in  containing  a  much  greater  quantity  of  lime,  the  solid  carbonate  often 
prevailing  for  several  inches.  Stone  of  both  the  kinds  just  mentioned,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  bluffs  at  several  places  below  Niles,  and  frequently  boulders  in  the 
bed  of  the  stream,  particularly  at  the  ripples  above  Niles.    That  part  of  the 


376 


APPENDIX. 


mer  above  Niles,  and  extending  through  Indiana,  difflrs  in  many  respecti.  from 
the  portion  already  described.     It.,  valley  i.s  narrower,  being  often  no  wider  than 
the  B  ream  Itself,  and  its  banks  higher.     The  prevailing  earth  which  forms  it. 
fteu,  though  clay  and  gravel  are  common  in  many  places,  is  a  loose  sand  and 
gravel.    The  rise  of  the  water  is  more  rapid  and  less  uniformly  distributed 
causing  ripples  that  are  not  easily  surmountrd.    The  pec.ilmr  condition  of  the 
stream  at  the  ripples  is  evidently  caused  by  the  power  of  the  current.     The 
Avhole  distance  in   Indiana  is  4.1  miles.     The  whole  rise  99  feet,  being  at  the 
rate  of  2J  feet  per  mile  :  a  rate  aufficient  to  communicite  a  velocity  to  water 
that  will  wear  away  even  hard  earth,  and  which  moves  with  great  ease  that  ot 
which  the  bed  of  this  part  of  the  St.  Joseph  is  composed.     Hence  the  ori-^in  ot 
that  state  of  the  stream  of  which  we  are  speaking.     Intelligent  individual"    in- 
torm  me  they  have  known  the  strongest  ripples,  as  that  of  Mr.  McCartnev's 
and  that  above  Elkhart,  formed  in  a  single  winter:    the  passage  of  the  iee 
being  obstructed,  a  dam  >s  formed,  and  the  water,  as  it  forces  its  way  beneath, 
carries  with  it  the  earth,  the  heavier  parts  of  which  are  deposited  immediatelJ 
below  ;  and  here  the  natural  section  of  the  stream  being  diminished,  the  bank, 
are  gradually  worn  away  till  that  is  restored.     The  bed  of  the  stream  appears 
not  to  have  the  requisite  permanency  for  dams,  either  on,  or  immediately  above 
the  ripples.      It  is  therefore  advisable  in  its  improvement  to  avoid  these  places 
and  select  for  the  dams  such  places  as  have  a  permanent  bed,  hi^h  banks  a 
medium  width,  depth,  and  current,  and  which  are  favorably  adapted  to  hydrau- 
lic purposes.  •' 

The  whole  rise  to  be  overcome  by  dams  in  Indiana  is  54^  feet.     The  whole 
number  of  these  is  twelve.    That  at  Bertand,  the  last  in  Michigan,  will  improve 
the  mer  to  the  head  of  Huiler's  ripple,  a  distance  of  two  and  a  half  miles  be- 
yond  the  state  line.     At  this  place  a  small  stream,  called  Huiler's  Branch,  comes 
m  from  the  north.    It  has  a  flouring  and  saw-mill  on  it,  and  water  sufficient  the 
greater  part  of  the  year.     The  first  dam  in  Indiana  will  be  required  at  the  head 
ot  the  island,  hall  a  mile  above  this  creek,  of  five  feet  in  height.     It  will  over- 
come  the  swift  water  at  this  place,  at  Portage,  and  at  McCartney's  ripple  •  the 
latter  of  which  is  one  of  the  broadest  and  most  rapid  places  on  the  river     At 
Its  head  IS  the  little  Kankakee,  which  takes  its  rise  in  a  large  marsh  of  the 
same  name.     The  want  of  water  power  along  this  part  of  the  river  renders 
this  a  very  valuable  stream.    The  quantity  of  water  it  discharges,  which  is  suf- 
hcient  for  two  run  of  stone.^  varies  but  little  at  any  time  of  the  year     The  se 
cond  dam  of  ,1^  feet  in  height,  placed  at  the  bend  below  Stump  ripple  will  im- 
prove  the  stream  at  that  and  other  points  above,  as  far  as  the  South  Bend  ripple 
A  dam  at  this  place  is  in  contemplation  by  a  Company.    They  have  nearly 
completed  a  canal  across  the  point,  commencing  at  the  head  of  the  ripple  and 
another  season  design  to  construct  a  dam  of  eight  feet  in  height.     This  is  more 
than  IS  necessary  for  the  improvement  of  the  stream.     One  ol"  s\x  feet  and  anc 
therof  5 J  feet,  two  and  a  half  miles  above,  will  slacken  the  water  sufficiently  to 
Mishawakee.    The  location  of  the  latter  is  between  Twin  ripple  and  the  large 
island  below  it.    This  ripple,  and  that  of  H.  Combs,  just  above  it,  are  at  present 
difficult  points  of  the  strea.n.    At  Mishawaka,  the  experiment  of  damming  the 
St.  Joseph  has  been  fully  tried     That  of  the  St.  Joseph  Iron  Company,  which 
IS  completed,  promises  to  be  a  very  permanent  work.    The  difficulties  wliich 


ArruNDix. 


377 


it  is  linown  wore  encountered  in  this  instnncp,  wero  chiefly  owin^  to  t!ic  injudi- 
cious location  of  llie  dam,  and  tlio  plan  pursued  in  its  cunstruction.     hit  liti>'lit 
11)  live  feet,  and  tlie  back  water  caused  by  it  extends  to  Twin  islands.     Tim 
stream  at  this  point  is  broad,  shoal,  and  divided  into  thrco  cliunni'U  by  the  la. 
landa.     To  improve  it,  it  is  advisable  to  add  a  foot  to  tlio  Mishawakcc  darn, 
and  excavate  one  of  the  channels.     The  litlh  dam,  of  four  feet,  hall'  a  mile  abovo 
these  islands,  will  slacken  the  water  to  Baw  Baw  ripple.    Within  this  distanci 
are  four  small  ripples,  at  all  of  which  the  stream  will  be  rendered  of  sulHtient 
depth,  except  the  last,  where  a  slight  excavation  will  be  refpiirtd.     The  stream 
at  the  Baw  Baw  has  already  attracted  the  attention  of  individuals,  as  being  a  fa- 
vorable site  for  an  extensive  water  power.     They  propose  damming  the  river  be- 
low the  month  of  the  creek,  and  cutting  a  canal  across  llio  point  l'(irmi;d  by  ihe 
bend.    Probably  a  more  judicious  plan  for  improving  the  river  cannot  bo  proposed. 
By  excavating  the  right  channel  at  the  head  of  the  island  below  Cobert's  crerk, 
the  height  of  this  dam  need  be  but  IJ  feet.    The  Baw  Baw  comes  in  fioni  tho 
south  just  above  it.     If  is  a  rapiu  stream,  and  very  variable,  often  swelling  after 
a  rain  to  double  its  ordinary  magnitude.    At  nil  seasons,  however,  it  alTords 
sulFicient  water,  properly  apjylied,  for  a  grist  ""^d  saw-mill ;  and  of  the  latter  thera 
are  several  upon  it.     Cobert's  creek,  whu  .  enters  from  tho  north,  two  and  a 
half  miles  above  the  Baw  Baw,  is  a  quick  but  uniform  stream,  being  hut  sliijlit- 
ly  affected  by  rain.     It  is  second  only  to  the  Dowagiae  in  respect  to  its  water 
power.    There  are  two  saw-mills  upon  it,  at  parts  above  and  at  its  moulh  ;  a 
foundry,  and  extensive  milling  works  are  in  contemplation.    ]N'o  dam  is  ne- 
cessary above  the  Baw  Baw,  until  we  arrive  at  the  foot  of  the  island  below  Pen- 
well's  ripple,  a  distance  of  five  miles.    The  strtam  makes  several  large  bends, 
but  is  sufficiently  deep,  except  at  three  or  four  places,  where,  by  wearing  away 
one  of  the  banks,  it  has  made  a  wide  channel.     At  each  of  llicse  the  current 
may  be  deflected,  and  the  channel  deepened  by  a  wing  dam.     At  the  foot  of  tho 
island  abovo  mentioned,  the  seventh  dam,  of  4J  feet,  will  slacken  and  deepen 
tho  water  to  Sturges'  ripple,  overcoming  that  of  Penwell's  and  Burntman's. 
Sturges'  ripple  is  decidedly  the  n'ost  formidable  on  the  river,  the  fall  through  it 
being  at  tho  rate  often  feet  per  mde.     The  eighth  dam,  of  seven  feet,  just  below 
it,  will,  by  excavating  the  right  channel  at  the  head  of  the  island  above  Elkhart, 
secure  sufficient  depth  to  the  mouth  of  Christiana  creek.     This  creek  is  one  of 
the  most  valuable  streams  that  discharge  themselves  into  the  St.  Joseph.     It  is 
long  and  very  uniform,  never  varying  more  than  twelve  inches.     It  lias  a  larco 
amount  of  fall,  which  is  distributed  at  intervals,  forming  valuable  mill  sites, 
many  of  which  are  unimproved.    The  Elkhart,  which  comos  in  just  above  tha 
bridge,  is  a  large  and  important  stream.     It  has  many  brandies,  extensive  water 
power,  and  is  navigable  for  rafts  as  far  as  Goshen.    The  fall  in  it  below  that 
place  is  from  three  to  five  feet  per  mile. 

The  rise  of  water  for  some  distance  above  Elkhart,  as  it  has  been  observed 
to  be  below,  is  more  rapid  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the  river  of  an  equal  dis- 
tance.  To  overcome  it,  two  dams  will  be  necessary  in  the  space  of  two  miles. 
The  most  favorable  place  for  tho  first  is  just  above  tho  bridge  ;  but  as  it  can- 
not be  made  at  this  place  of  sufiiciont  height  without  destroying  the  water  pow- 
er at  the  mouths  of  the  Christiana  and  Elkhart,  and  overflowing  a  large  portion 
of  land,  thereby  injuring  property  and  endangering  the  health  of  the  adjacent 

48 


m 


378 


AITENDIX. 


country  ,t  ..  advmahio  to  locate  it  ju.t  above  the  mouth  of  the  latter  .trram 
The  ninth  Ham.  01  .14  feci,  at  t!..3  place,  w.ll  improve  the  nver  one  and  o^o 
^lua  ter  m.  en.  and  .he  tenth,  of  f.vo  feet  at  that  d,«.ance,  w,ll  render  it  good  to 
^..glo  pomt  at  w  .d.  place  the  eleventh  dam  of  2J  feet  w.ll  slacke    , he  .   t« 

valley  of  the  river  13  broader,  the  bottoms  lower,  and  the  current,  except  in  the 
plT  L:  ^'"f  •/•"^^"-     »-"  '^''•-'-n'"  "PPI.-.  and  the  inland,  hi.; 

£  W  0  JT  '''T'Tr  ""'  '""  '"-"■'^  'l-.of  ".-0  fee,,  is  neee««ary 
below  the  former  U.yond  the  extent  of  ..a  influence,  no  other  improvement  i. 
necessary  on  the  Indiana  side  of  the  line.  "vemeni  is 

mZt''Tl""7"^T!^  "T"'  •""'^'^•'"S  i"'""'"  river  in  the  last  fiHeen 
m  les.     Among  those  below  Bristol,  Pine  creek  is  the  largest,  and  di,    nr..., 

01  Its  «.dth  at  the  mouth  is  fifty  feet,  and  three  deep.  It  ban  a  hiuhly  va- 
h^able  water  privilege  at  this  place,  which  is  yet  unimpLed  ;  ,  n    a  la  f 

mdes  above  Bristol  is  Trout  creek,  which  is  also  a  valuable  strea;,,  or.iinar  I y  f^ 

at  Its  mou  I,     The  distance  from  the  state  line  to  the  Three  rivers  is  21    miles  • 
and  the  whole  is  345  feet.     That  overcome  by  dams  is  1 ,  foe,.     The      ar    ,e; 
o    tlie  rn^er  is  much  like  the  last  part  of  the  portion  last  described,  the  bo.  .  m 
being  m  many  places  too  low  ,0  admit  of  high  dams.     The  who  e  number  is 

L7a'        Z       m"'  '?.'  ''°"^^^""^'  '""  '^"'y  "^'^  '^-"'"-^  =  'he  firs   a  sho 
d.  tan       below  Mottvdle,  2i  feet  in  height ;  the  second  of  3  feet,  at  the  bend 
b  low  the  islands.  H  miles  above  that  place.     At  two  places  bel  w  Constan- 

At  ;,     yr"'ToV°  ""''""  *"°  ^'"'''  ''"»  ^°"-  improvement  is  required. 
At  the  distance  ot  2  1 .  3  miles,  the  left  channel,  ^^ormed  by  an  island  at  tha 
pom  ,  should  be  closed,  and  the  right  one  excavated,  and  L  same    n    r    L 
ments  made  at  the  islands,  1^  miles  below  Cons.antine.     The  distance  be- 
ween  this  place  and  Three  rivers  will  only  recp.ire  two  dams  ;  the  firs    a  mi 
from  the  former  of  2J  feet ;  the  second,  at  the  foot  of  Knapp-    ripple   ,4  ,nT! 
be  ow  Three  rivers  of  4  feet.     In  a  portion  of  the  stream,  elmencn.'.l  m 
below  that  place,  the  course  of  it  is  interrupted  by  several  inlands.     O^e  o^  ho 
channels  past  two  0    them  it  is  necessary  to  close  ;  the  northern  of  the  firs 
and  the  southern  of  the  second.  '  "•  me  nrsi, 

This  portion  of  the  river  receives  a  number  of  valuable  tributaries  Piarnn 
river  enters  the  St.  Joseph  three-quarters  of  a  mile  northerly  of  Ue  "tat!  1  ne 
Its  size  IS  ,00  feet  wide  by  21,  deep  at  its  mouth.  Its  fall  below  Whit  Pi 'on 
.s  moderate,  and  money  to  some  extent  has  been  expended  to  render  it  navigable 
for  keel-boats  to  that  place  ;  the  project,  however,  has  been  abandoned  as  im- 
practicable.  Mil  s  are  constructing  ai  I'i.oo,:,  ab,„e  which  its  hydraulic  power 
8  valuable.  Mill  creek  comes  in  from  f.e  r.-.th  alnrntonemile  :..ove  Motlville 
Its  size  IS  15  by  2  feet,  and  it  di.  '  ,..,.,  .  uat-,  sufficient  for  several  run  oi 
stones.  At  its  mouth  is  a  valuable  water  privilege,  but  unimproved  ;  and  h.It 
a  mde  above  It  are  extensive  milling  works.  Fawn  river,  uhi,:h  enters  from 
the  south  a  short  distance  above  Constantine,  is  a  stream  of  nearly  the  same 
I  jnagnitude  as  the  Pigeon.  The  value  of  its  hydraulic  power,  within  one  and  a 
half  miles  of  its  mouth,  is  not  inferior  to  that  of  any  stream  which  cters  the 
St.  Joseph  below.    The  fall  in  this  distance  is  10  feetj  and  the  water  of  tic 


APPENDIX. 


379 


wholo  .troam  may  be  bro.-sht  out  at  diflerent  points  upon  tl.o  bluff  and  twi.« 

Prairio  river,  wh,ch  discharg.e  itsulf  nt  K«chol,  is  only  a  little  smaller  than 
t'^wn  ■  an,  as  water  power  at .(,  mouth,  and  other  point,  above  T.earcei; 

I  na,  t,,  low.    Through  some  portions  of  it  the  water  is  slow  and  deep    but  at 

iune  nvtrs  and  Sturgeon  lake,  a  distance  of  iCA  miles     Tim  fir  ■»  nf  •»  r    ♦ 

y.  W.I1  be  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  first  and  second  p^ort  ons  of  t    T 

B    es  dammmg  and  excavating,  several  important  cuts  will'be  ren Led  for  th 

purpose  of  straightening  the  stream.    All  of  these  will  be  exhibited  o„    h« 

maps.     The  Nottawa  river  enters  the  St.  Joseph  21  miles    bo^Treerver; 

t  IS  a  rapid  stream  near  its  mouth,  and  of  about  the  size  and  water  o    he  Rok' 

d     FroS""  7'"'^'"«;'7'^-"'-  Po--.  of  which  but  a  portion       mprov 
ed.     From  Sturgeon  lake  to  Union  city  the  distance  is  20*  miles      The  avi 

with  the  necessary  bottom  excavation,  will  be  seven,  each  of  small  1  ft     SwTn' 
creek  enters  the  St.  Joseph  from  the  south  at  Sturgeon  lake     f  ll  ! ;„ll 

Tl.o  ,i,„,  al  tl,i.  pl.ce,  bong  .0  m,,oh  da,..,ed  i„  ,ltc,  i,  „,,  deomej  J„ 


r 


880 


APPENDIX. 


>  i; 


■  JBB 


Agreeable  to  instructions,  a  line  was  surveyed  to  ascertain  tlie  feasibility  of 
connecting  Union  city  with  IIo>ner.  on  the  Kalamazoo,  by  a  canal  navigation. 
Tlie  distance  bein:;  20  miles,  two  lines  were  run  at  the  commencement  of  the 
route;  tlie  first,  from  a  [)oint  of  the  river  half  a  mile  below  the  village,  and 
paasmg  up  a  ravine  in  the  rear  of  it ;  the  second,  rising  on  the  highland  of  the 
village,  and  intersecting  the  point  at  the  head  ot  t'>e  ravine.  The  ravine 
contains  a  train  of  small  marshes,  which  are  admirably  calculated  for  basins 
for  a  canal.     The  esliuiates  arc  based  upon  this  line- 

From  the  head  of  the  ravine  the  route  runs  by  a  straight  course  across  Wil- 
der's  prairie  to  the  head  of  Fiah  lake,  and  thence  by  a  direct  line  passes  Cam- 
ley's  prairie  to  Adamsville  ;  beyond  which  it  runs  between  a  range  of  hills  and 
tlie  river,  and  follows  a  direct  route  to  Tekonsha.  From  this  place  it  continues 
a  due  course  to  the  second  range  of  hills  which  approach  the  river  about  a  mile 
above  Tekonsha,  and  passing  between  them  and  the  river,  follows  near  the  val- 
ley of  the  latter  to  the  head  of  the  lake  near  the  village  of  Homer.  The  route 
is,  in  most  respects,  a  highly  favorable  one.  The  only  objeclionablfc  feature  of 
it  is  the  amount  of  lockage,  which  is  9S  feet;  bemg  the  elevation  of  the  lake 
a!>ove  the  river  at  Union  city.  The  lake,  which  is  the  summit,  can  be  used  as 
a  feeder,  and  will  always  afford  sullicient  water  ;  and  by  a  cut  of  half  a  mile 
in  length,  and  not  exceeding  in  the  deepest  part  seven  feel,  and  generally  not 
riore  than  four,  the  water  of  tho  Kalamazoo,  taken  from  the  pond  at  Homer, 
can  be  connected  with  the  lake  and  the  St.  .Joseph  river.  The  estimates  for 
the  canal  are  based  upon  a  plan  of  23  feet  uottom,  four  feet  depth,  with  wooden 
locks,  culverts,  &c. 

The  St,  Joseph  river  rises  in  Hillsdale  county,  passes  through  Calhoun, 
Branch,  and  St.  Joseph  counties  ;  and  winding  southerly  into  Indiana,  again 
returns,  and  pas?:ing  through  Berrien  county,  empties  into  Lake  Michigan  at 
yt.  Joseph.  It  is  a  large  and  beautiful  stream,  and  flows  through  a  country 
which,  in  salubriiy  of  climate,  excellency  of  water,  and  richness  and  fertility  of 
Boil,  is  unsurpassed  by  any  part  of  the  west.  Its  numerous  tributaries,  many 
of  which  arc  important  streams,  offer  strong  encouragement  to  the  milling  and 
manufacturing  interests.  These,  and  other  attractions,  have  already  rendered 
this  a  wealthy  and  populous  part  of  the  state.  Every  diversity  of  grains,  fruits 
and  vegetables,  yield  herein  abundance.  The  soil  of  the  bottoms  is  x  deep, 
black  vegetable  mould,  and  of  remarkable  fertility  ';  that  of  the  prairies,  com- 
bining with  this  earth  a  considerable  portion  of  lime  and  sand,  is  still  more 
productive;  and  the  ojjenings  and  timbered  land  by  continued  cultivation  pro- 
dace  abundant  crops.  This  is  the  character  of  the  laud  through  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  the  survey.  Scarcely  a  waste  spot  has  been  met  with  ;  though  every 
variety  of  products  is  cultivated,  yet  wheat  is,  and  will  always  be,  the  great 
nnd  stap''^  article  of  grain.  The  amount  of  Hour  which  is  shipped  is  now 
very  largo,  and  is  annually  and  rapidly  'ucreasing.  Timber  affords  another 
important  article  of  transportation  in  the  various  kinds  of  lumber ;  as  the  oak, 
whitewood,  black  walnut,  and  many  other  valuable  kinds  of  timber,  abound 
in  every  direction.  Amon^t  the  mineral  resources  are  lime  andiron.  At  se- 
veral places  below  Niles,  a  species  of  lime  rock  is  found,  which  produces  an 
excellent  quality  of  lime ;  and  above  that  place,  a  beautiful  quality  of  line 
ia  manufactured  from  mail,  which  exists  in  large  quantities  at  variou?  points 


APPENDIX. 


381 


and 


on  the  streams,  ar,d  is  th-j  p.nduct  of  the  decomposition  of  sheila.  Iron  ore,  of 
excellent  quality,  ah  ;unds  in  Indiana,  and  also  within  the  .orders  of  Michi-^'an. 
Ancxtensivoni.-.ufactory  of  it  is  carried  on  at  Mishauakee,  and  is  in  con- 
templation at  other  points  of  the  river.  Facilities  of  transportation  bv  steam- 
boat would  induce  enterprising  citizena  to  extend  the  manufacture  of  this  pro 
duct  to  a  great  amount.  All  these  important  articles  of  transporlalion,  and 
the  great  variety  of  others  which  a  find  a  market  up  and  down  the  .ver,  were 
i»s  navigation  easy  and  extended,  would  create  a  large  and  flourishing 'trade. 
And  in  the  present  state  of  the  stream,  such  are  the  wants  of  the  count'ry,  that, 
though  at  great  expense  for  transportation  by  water,  a  heavy  business  is  carried 
on.  One  steamboat  to  Niles,  and  occasionally  to  South  Bend,  and  eight  or  ten 
kcclboats  to  different  points  of  the  river,  have  been  in  constant  operatron  during 
the  past  season  ;  but  they  have  proved  so  far  inadequate  to  the  performance  o1 
the  business,  that  three  additional  steamboats  are  now  building,  and  will  be  in 
readiness  for  the  trade  of  the  river  in  the  early  part  of  next  season. 

Nature  has  formed,  by  this  noble  stream,  a  partial  water  communication  to 
the  heart  of  this  peninsula.  In  improving  the  facilities  of  intercourse  between 
the  different  parts  of  it,  to  perfect  what  she  has  done  appears  to  be  the  dictate 
of  sound  policy.  And  when  we  consider  the  ease  with  which  it  can  be  made, 
compared  with  any  other  mode  of  communication,  and  the  great  and  paramount 
advantages  which  will  result  from  it  to  so  wide  an  extent  of  the  richest  portion 
of  the  west,  the  importance  of  the  work  appears  fully  to  justiiy  the  undertaking 
of  It.  And  it  is  the  opinion  of  your  engineer,  that  no  delay  should  be  suffered 
in  rendering  the  navigation  practicable  and  easy  for  light  draft  steamboats, 
through  the  whole  extent  thu  it  has  been  examined.  This  object  can  be  ao- 
oomplished  much  short  of  the  general  estimates  submitted.  These  estimates 
Mere  made  in  accordance  with  instructions,  with  the  view  to  the  perfect  slack 
waternavigation  of  the  stream.  The  immediate  undertaking  of  its  improve- 
ment lo  such  an  extent  is  not  deemed  advisable. 

The  improvement  of  those  parts  only  which  present  the  principal  difKcuIties, 
is  recommended  to  be  immediately  undertaken.  And  were  it  determined  to 
commence  the  entire  improvement  at  once,  policy  would  dictate  the  removal  of 
the  principal  obstructions  first,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  progress  of  the  work, 
and  secure  the  earliest  benefits  aris-ing  from  it.  Estimates,  exhibiting  the  cost 
of  such  an  improvement,  are  also  submitted.  By  the  inspection  of  them  it  will 
be  seen  that  they  amount  to  but  about  one-third  the  general  estimates  ;  and  the 
seat  of  the  principal  difTiculties  and  improvemenis  will  also  he  seen. 

It  i.- unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  the  many  advantanes  attending  the  comple- 
tion of  this  work.  Those  arising  from  the  increased  facilities  of  intercourse 
are  numerous  ?nd  important.  There  is  one,  however,  of  surpassin-r  value  to 
tlie  cnuntry— the  vast  amount  of  water  power  which  will  be  created.  The 
whole  extent  of  the  river  is  admirably  situated,  and  calculated  to  derive  the 
greatest  benefits  from  extensive  water  power.  The  excellency  of  the  water,  and 
salubrity  of  the  climate,  insure  health;  the  great  and  universal  fertility  of  the 
soil,  cheapness  and  plenleousness  of  subsistence;  the  country  abounds  with 
materials,  and  they  tan  be  brought  with  case  from  abroad.  These  circumstan- 
ces, which  are  of  such  primary  importance  to  the  prosperity  of  the  arts,  com- 
bined with  an  unlimited  extent  of  water  power,  will  court  capital,  and  render 


ml 


382 


APPENDIX. 


)*f| 


this,  at  an  early  day,  a  great  and  flourishing  mannfactiiring,  as  well  as  agricul- 
tural country.  The  value  of  tiie  water  power,  created  at  the  points  where  ihe 
dams  are  ioca^jd  for  the  partial  iinprovemont,  will  unquestionably  exceed  the  cost 
of  their  conatructlon. 

The  co-operation  of  the  state  of  [ndiana  in  the  work  is  all  important.  She 
has  now  in  contemplation  the  construction  of  a  canal  along  the  bank  of  the 
Btream  from  Elkhart  to  South  Bend,  a  part  of  an  unbroken  line  from  Fort  Wayne 
to  Michigan  city.  And  though  she  may  no'  be  induced  to  abandon  this  project 
from  Elkhart  westwarc  n  favor  of  the  contetnplated  improvement  of  the  river, 
yet  it  is  confidently  believed  so  great  are  the  advantages  which  she  will  derive 
from  this  improvement,  that  she  will  be  ready  to  embark  in  it  at  as  early  a  pe- 
riod as  her  sister  state. 

The  shortness  of  time  since  the  completion  of  the  survey  has  rendered  it  im- 
possible to  make  as  full  a  report  as  is  desirable.  Much  matter,  which  it  would 
be  proper  to  introduce,  is  in  consequence  omitted.  All  information,  however, 
that  can  be  placed  upon  the  maps  and  profiles,  will  be.  Those  whicii  are  in 
progress  by  Mr.  Win.  Main  will  be  completed  and  submitted  at  the  earliest  pe- 
riod practicable.  It  is  proper  to  remark,  that  this  survey,  which  has  been  an 
extensive  and  thorough  one,  will  greatly  reduce  the  future  expenditures  in  the 
improvement  of  the  river  ;  and  much  credit  is  due  to  the  gentlemen  who  have 
assisted  in  carrying  out,  to  the  full  extent,  the  letter  of  instructions. 


Note  XI. 

CONSTITUTION   OP    THE    STATE    OP    MICHIGAN. 

In  Convention,  begun  at  the  city  of  Detroit,  on  the  second  Monday  of  May, 
in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-five  : 

We,  the  people  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  as  established  by  the  act  of 
Congress  of  the  eleventh  of  January,  eighteen  hundred  and  five,  in  conformity 
to  the  fifth  article  of  the  ordinance  providing  for  the  government  of  the  territory 
of  the  United  States  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio,  believing  that  the  time  has 
arrived  when  our  present  political  condition  ought  to  cease,  and  ttie  n^ht  of  seit- 
government  be  asserted  ;  and  availing  ourselves  of  the  aforesaid  ordinancn  of 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  the  thirteenth  day  of  July,  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  eighty-seven,  and  the  acts  of  Congress  passed  in  accordance  there- 
with, which  entitled  us  to  admission  into  the  Union,  upon  a  condition  which  has 
been  fulfilled,  do,  by  our  delegates  in  convention  assembled,  mutually  agree  to 
form  ourselves  into  a  free  and  independent  state,  by  the  style  and  title  of  "  The 
State  of  Michigan,"  and  do  ordain  and  establish  the  following  constitution  for 
the  government  of  the  same  : 

AnTICLE  I. 

1.  All  political  power  is  inherent  in  the  people. 

2.  Government  is  instituted  for  the  protection,  security,  and  benefit  of  the 
people ;  and  they  have  the  right  at  all  times  to  alter  or  reform  the  same,  and  to 
abolish  one  form  of  government  and  establish  another  whenever  the  public  good 
requires  it. 

3.  No  man  or  set  of  men  are  entitled  to  exclusive  or  separate  privileges. 

4.  Every  person  has  a  right  to  worship  Almighty  God  according  to  the  die- 


APPENDIX. 


3S3 


tatcs  of  his  own  conscience;  and  no  person  can  of  Mgl.t  be  compelled  to  at- 
Z\Z'r  ^"PP°^\"S".-t  h..  will,  any  place  of  rehgious  worsl.ip,  or  pay 

cii":rZz;r  r  ;s::rr:r^^ '-' ''- '--''  °^  -^^^-^  - 

sh!ni!!>^Hi""M"'!,'''''^'T"  "!''"'  P"'''^'Ses,nud  capacities  of  no  individual 
matters  of  religion.  = 

7.  Every  person  may  f.cely  speak,  write,  and  publish  his  sentiments  on  all 
subjects,  bemg  responsible  for  the  abuse  of  that  right;  and  no  laws  shall  be 
passed  to  restram  or  abridge  the  liberty  of  speech  or  of  the  press.  In  ull  pro- 
secutmns  or  indictments  for  libels,  the  truth  may  be  given  in  evidence  to  the  j.iry  • 
and.f  ushal  appear  to  the  jury  that  the  matter  charged  as  libellous,  is  true' 
and  was  published  with  good  motives  and  for  justifiable  ends,  the  party  shall 
ber:qu,tted;  and  the  jury  shall  have  the  right  to  determine  the  law  and  the 

8.  The  person,  houses,  papers  and  possessions  of  every  individual  shall  be 
secure  from  unreasonable  searches  and  seizures  ;  and  no  warrant  to  search  any 
place,  or  to  seize  any  person  or  things,  shall  issue  without  describing  them  nor 
without  probable  cause,  supported  by  oath  or  affirmation. 

9.  The  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  remain  inviolate. 

10.  In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  have  the  riaht  to  a  speedy 
and  pubnc  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  vicinage;  to  be  confronted  with  the 
witnesses  against  him  ;  to  have  compulsory  process  for  obtaining  witnesses  in 
his  favor;  to  have  the  assistance  of  counsel  for  his  defence;  and  in  all  civil 
cases,  m  which  personal  liberty  may  be  involved,  the  trial  by  jury  shall  not  be 
refused. 

11.  No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  criminal  ofll-nce,  unless  on  the 
presentment  or  indictment  of  a  grand  jury,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment  or 
meases  cognizable  by  justices  of  the  peace,  or  arising  in  the  army  or  militia 
when  in  actual  service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger. 

12.  No  person  for  the  same  offence  shall  be  twice^put  in  jeopardy  of  punish- 
ment ;  all  persons  shall,  before  conviction,  be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties  ex- 
cept for  capital  offences,  when  the  proof  is  evident  or  the  presumption  great  • 
and  the  privilege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  not  be  suspended  unless 
when,  m  case  of  rebellion  or  invasion,  the  public  safety  may  require  it 

13.  Every  person  has  a  right  to  bear  arms  for  the  defence  of  himself  and  the 
state. 

14.  The  military  shall,  in  all  cases  and  at  all  times,  be  in  strict  subordination 
to  the  civil  power. 

15.  No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  bo  quartered  in  any  house  Mithout 
the  consent  of  the  owner,  nor  in  time  of  war  but  in  a  manner  prescribed  by 
law.  ' 

16.  Treason  against  the  state  shall  consist  only  in  levying  war  a<Tainst  it,  or 
m  adhering  to  its  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort ;  no  person  shall'  be 
convicted  of  treason,  unless  on  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same 
overt  act,  or  on  confession  in  open  court. 


EBB 


3S4 


ArrENDix. 


17.  No  bill  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  law,  or  law  impairing  the  obligation  of 
contracts,  shall  be  passed. 

18.  Excessive  bail  sliall  not  be  required  ;  excessive  fines  shall  not  bo  impus- 
ed  ;  and  cruel  and  unjust  punishments  shall  not  be  inflicted. 

19.  The  property  of  no  person  shall  be  taken  for  public  use  without  just 
corn[)ensation  therefor. 

80.  The  people  .«hail  have  the  right  freely  to  as.?omhle  together,  to  consult 
for  the  cominDU  good,  to  instruct  their  representatives,  and  to  petition  the  le- 
gislature for  redress  of  grievances. 

21.  All  acts  of  the  lei;islature,  contrary  to  this  or  any  other  article  of  this 
constitu'ion,  shall  be  void. 

Article  II. — Electors. 

1.  In  all  elections,  every  white  male  citizen  above  the  age  of  twenty-one 
year.<3,  having  resided  in  the  state  six  months  next  preceding  any  election,  shall 
be  entitled  to  vote  at  such  election  ;  and  every  white  maleinhnhitnnt  of  the  e^e 
aforesaid,  who  may  be  a  resident  of  this  state  at  the  time  of  the  signing  of  this 
constitution,  shall  have  the  right  of  vutinij  as  aforesaid  ;  but  no  such  citizer.  or 
inhabitant  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  except  in  the  district,  county,  or  township,  in 
which  he  shall  actually  reside  at  the  time  of  such  election. 

2.  All  votes  shall  be  given  by  ballot,  except  for  such  township  officers  as  may, 
by  law,  be  directed  to  be  otherwise  chosen. 

3.  Electors  shall,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony,  or  breach  of  the  peace, 
be  priviliged  from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  elections,  and  in  going  to 
and  returning  from  the  same. 

4.  No  elector  shall  be  obliged  to  do  militia  duty  on  the  days  of  elections,  c.t- 
cept  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger. 

5.  No  person  shall  bo  deemed  to  have  lost  his  residence  in  this  state  by  rea- 
son of  his  absence  on  business  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  state. 

6.  No  soldier,  seaman,  or  marine,  in  the  army  or  navy  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  deemed  a  resident  of  this  state,  in  consequence  of  being  str  tioned  in 
any  military  or  naval  place  within  the  same. 

Article  III. — Division  of  the  powers  of  Oovenvnenl. 
1.  The  powers  of  the  government  shall  be  divided  into  three  distinct  depart- 
ments :  the  legislative,  the  executive,  and   the  judicial ;  and  one  department 
shall  never  exercise  the  powers  of  another,  except  in  such  cases  as  are  expressly 
provided  for  in  this  constitution. 

Auticlf:  IV. — Legislative  Department. 

1.  The  legislative  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  senate  and  house  of  representa- 
tives. 

2.  The  number  of  the  members  of  the  house  of  representatives  shall  never 
be  less  than  forty  eight  nor  more  than  one  hundred  ;  and  the  senate  shall,  at  all 
time=,  equal  in  number  one-third  of  the  house  of  representatives  as  nearly  as 
may  be. 

3.  The  legislature  shall  provide  by  law  for  an  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  state  in  the  years  cicrhieen  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  and  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-five,  and  every  ten  years  after  the  said  last-mentioned  time;  and 


APPENDIX. 


385 


at  tlieir  first  session  after  each  enumeration  so  made  as  aforesaid,  and  also  after 
each  enumeration  made  by  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  the  legislature 
shall  apportion  anew  the  representatives  and  senators  among  the  several  coun- 
ties and  districts  according  to  the  number  of  white  inhabitants. 

4.  The  representatives  shall  be  chosen  annually  on  tiio  first  Monday  of  No- 
vember,  and  on  the  following  day,  by  the  electors  of  the  several  counties  or  dis- 
tricts  into  which  the  slate  shall  be  divided  for  thtt  purpose.  Each  organized 
county  shall  be  entitled  to  at  least  one  representative ;  but  no  county  hereafter 
organized,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  separate  representative  until  it  shall  have  at- 
tained a  population  equal  to  the  ratio  of  representation  hereafter  established. 

5.  The  senators  shall  be  chosen  for  two  years,  at  the  same  time  and  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  representatives  are  required  to  be  chosen.  At  the  first 
session  of  the  legislature  under  this  constitution,  they  shall  be  divided  bv  lot 
from  their  respective  districts,  as  nearly  as  .nay  be,  into  two  equal  classes';  the 
seats  of  the  senators  of  the  first  class  shall  be  vacated  at  the  expiration  of  the 
first  year,  and  of  the  second  class  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year,  so  that 
one-hall",  as  nearly  as  may  be,  shall  be  chosen  annually  thereafter. 

6.  The  state  shall  be  divided,  at  each  new  apportionment,  into  a  number  of 
not  less  than  four,  nor  more  than  eight,  senatorial  districts,  to  be  always  com- 
posed  of  contiguous  territory,  so  that  each  district  shall  elect  an  equal  number 
of  senators  annually,  as  nearly  as  may  be  ;  and  no  county  shall  be  divided  in 
the  formation  of  such  districts. 

7.  Senators  and  representatives  shall  be  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  be 
qualified  electors  in  the  respective  counties  and  districts  which  they  represent ; 
and  a  removal  from  their  respective  counties  or  districts  shall  be  deei.i'id  a  va- 
catjon  of  their  seats. 

8.  No  person  holding  any  office  under  the  United  States,  or  of  this  state, 
officers  of  the  militia,  justices  of  the  peace,  associate  judges  of  the  circuit  and 
county  courts,  and  postmasters  excepted,  shall  be  eligible  to  either  house  of 
the  legislature. 

9.  Senators  and  representatives  shall,  in  all  cases  except  treason,  felony,  or 
breach  of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest ;  nor  shall  they  be  subject  to  any 
civil  process,  during  the  session  of  the  legislature,  nor  for  fifteen  days  nest  be- 
fore  the  commencement  and  after  the  termination  of  each  session. 

10.  A  majority  of  each  house  shall  constitute  a  quorum  to  do  business  • 
but  a  sr.ialler  number  may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and  may  compel  the  atten- 
dance of  absent  members,  in  such  manner  and  under  such  penalties  as  each 
house  may  provide.     Each  house  shall  choose  its  own  oflicers. 

11.  Eiich  house  shall  determine  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  and  judge  of  the 
qualifications,  elections,  and  returns  of  its  own  members ;  and  may,  with  tlie 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected,  expel  a  member ;  but  no 
member  shall  be  expelled  a  second  time  for  tho  same  cause,  nor  for  any  cause 
known  to  his  constituents  antecedent  to  his  election. 

12.  Each  house  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  proceedings,  and  publish  the  same, 
except  such  parts  as  may  require  secrecy  ;  and  the  yeas  and  nays  of  the  mem- 
bers of  eithei  house,  on  any  question,  shall,  at  the  request  of  one-fifth  of  the 
members  present,  be  entered  on  the  journal.  Any  member  of  either  house  shall 
have  liberty  to  dissent  from  and  protest  against  any  act  or  resolution  which  he 

49 


386 


APPENDIX. 


■M 


I    \u 


rJ 


■'^i 

in 

Ik  '    ' 

^^^^E^ 

HIS 

may  think  injurious  to  the  pubhc  or  an  individual,  and  have  the  reasons  of  this 
diflsent  entered  on  the  journal. 

13.  In  all  elections  by  either  or  both  houses,  the  votes  shall  be  given  vi- 
va voce ;  and  all  votes  on  nomination  made  to  the  senate  shall  be  taken  by  yeas 
and    ays,  and  published  with  the  journal  of  its  proceedings. 

14.  The  doors  of  each  house  shall  be  open,  except  when  the  public  welfare 
shall  require  secrecy ;  neither  house  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  other,  ad- 
journ for  more  than  three  days,  nor  to  any  other  place  than  that  where  the  legis- 
lature  may  then  be  in  session. 

15.  Any  bill  may  originate  in  either  house  of  the  legislature. 

16.  Every  bill  passed  by  the  legislature  shall,  before  it  becomes  a  law,  be  pre- 
sented to  the  governor  ;  if  he  approve,  he  shall  sign  it ;  but  if  not,  he  shall  re- 
turn it,  with  his  objections,  to  that  hou.se  in  which  it  originated,  who  shall  en- 
ter the  objections  at  large  upon  their  journal,  and  proceed  to  reconsider  it.  If, 
after  such  reconsideration,  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  present  agree  to  pass 
the  bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  by  whom  it  shall 
likewise  be  reconsidered  ;  and  if  approved  also  by  two-thirds  of  all  the  mem- 
bers present  in  that  house,  it  shall  become  a  law  ;  but  in  such  cases  the  votes 
of  both  houses  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays,  and  the  names  of  the 
members  voting  for  or  against  the  bill  shall  be  entered  on  the  journals  ol 
each  house  respectively :  And  if  any  bill  be  not  returned  by  the  governor  with- 
in ten  days,  (Sundays  excepted,)  after  it  has  been  presented  to  him,  the  same 
shall  become  a  law,  in  like  manner  as  if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  letns- 
lature  by  their  adjournment  prevent  its  return,  in  which  case  it  shall  not  be- 
come a  law. 

17.  Every  resolution  to  which  the  concurrence  of  the  senate  and  house  of  re- 
presentatives may  be  necessary,  except  in  cases  of  adjournment,  shall  be  pre- 
sented to  the  governor,  and,  before  the  same  shall  take  effect,  shall  be  proceed- 
ed upon  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  case  of  a  bill. 

18.  The  members  of  the  legislature  shall  receive,  for  their  aervi'-os,  a  com- 
pensation to  be  ascertained  by  law,  and  paid  out  of  the  public  treasury ;  but  no 
increase  of  the  compensation  shall  take  effect  during  the  term  for  which  the 
members  of  either  houae  shall  have  been  elected  ;  and  such  compensation  shall 
never  exceed  three  dollars  a  day. 

19.  No  member  of  the  legislature  shall  receive  any  civil  appointment  from 
the  governor  and  senate,  or  from  the  legislature,  during  the  term  for  which  he  is 
elected. 

20.  The  governor  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such  vacancies  as  may 
occur  in  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives. 

21.  The  legislature  shall  meet  on  the  first  Monday  in  Januarj'  in  every  year, 
and  at  no  other  period,  unless  otherwise  directed  by  law  or  provided  for  in  this 
constitution. 

22.  The  style  of  the  laws  of  this  state  shall  be— Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Slate  of  Michigan. 

Article  V. — Executive  Department. 
1.  The  supreme  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  governor,  who  shall  hold  his  of- 
fice for  two  years ;  and  a  lieutenant  governor  shall  bo  chosen  at  the  same  time 
and  for  the  same  term. 


AFPENDIX. 


387 


S.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  governor  or  lieutenant  governor 
Mho  shall  not  have  been  five  years  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  a  resident 
of  this  state  two  years  next  preceding  the  election, 

3.  The  governor  and  lieutenant  governor  shall  be  elected  by  the  electors  at 
the  times  and  places  of  choosing  members  of  the  legislature.  The  persons 
having  the  highest  number  of  votes  for  governor  and  lieutenant  governor  shall 
be  elected  ;  but  in  case  two  or  more  have  an  equal  and  the  highest  number  of 
votes  for  governor  or  lieutenant  governor,  the  legislature  shall  by  join*  vote 
choose  one  of  the  said  persons  so  having  an  equal  and  the  highest  number  of 
votes,  for  governor  or  lieutenant  governor. 

4.  The  returns  of  every  election  for  governor  and  lieutenant  governor  shall 
be  sealed  up  and  transmitted  to  the  seat  of  government,  by  the  returning  offi- 
cers, directed  to  the  president  of  the  senate,  who  shall  open  and  publish  them  in 
the  presence  of  the  members  of  both  houses. 

5.  The  governor  shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia,  and  of  the  army 
and  navy  of  this  state. 

6.  He  shall  transact  all  executive  business  with  the  officers  of  government, 
civil  and  military  ;  and  may  require  information,  in  writing,  from  the  officers  in 
the  executive  department,  upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  duties  of  their  res- 
pective offices, 

7.  He  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed. 

8.  He  shall  have  power  to  convene  the  legislature  on  extraordinary  occa- 
sions. He  shall  communicate  by  message  to  the  legislature,  at  every  session, 
the  condition  of  the  state,  and  recommend  such  matters  to  them  as  he  shall 
deem  expedient. 

9.  He  shall  have  power  to  adjourn  the  legislature  to  such  time  as  he  may 
think  proper,  in  case  of  a  disagreement  between  the  two  houses  with  respett 
to  the  time  of  adjournment,  but  not  to  a  period  beyond  the  next  annual  meet- 
ing. 

10.  He  muy  direct  the  legislature  to  meet  at  some  other  place  than  the  seat 
of  government,  if  that  shall  become,  after  its  adjournment,  dangerous  from  a 
common  enemy  or  a  contagious  disease, 

11.  He  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves  and  pardon  after  conviction,  ex- 
cept in  cases  of  impeachment. 

12.  When  any  office,  the  appointment  to  which  is  vested  in  the  governor 
and  senate,  or  in  the  legislature,  becomes  vacant  during  the  recess  of  the  legis- 
lature, the  governor  shall  have  power  to  fill  such  vacancy  by  granting  a  com- 
mission, which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  the  succeeding  session  of  the  legisla- 
ture. 

13.  In  case  of  the  impeachment  of  the  governor,  his  removal  from  office, 
death,  resignation,  or  absence  from  the  state,  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  office 
shall  devolve  upon  the  lieutenant  governor  until  such  disability  shall  cease  or 
the  vacancy  be  filled. 

14.  If,  during  the  vacancy  of  the  office  of  governor,  the  lieutenant  governor 
shall  be  impeached,  displaced,  resign,  die,  or  be  absent  from  the  state,  the  pre- 
sident of  the  senate,  pro  tempore,  shall  act  as  governor  until  the  vacancy  be 
filled. 

15.  The  lieutenant  governor  shall,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  be  president  of  the 


388 


APrCNDIX. 


r^ 

t  k' 

fll; 

N; 

■    i 

I 

I 


■enate ;  in  committee  of  the  whole,  he  may  debate  on  all  questions ;  and  when 
there  is  an  equal  division,  he  shall  give  the  casting  vote. 

16.  No  member  of  congress,  nor  any  other  person  holding  office  under  the 
United  States,  or  this  state,  shall  execute  the  office  of  governor. 

17.  Whenever  the  office  of  governor  or  lieutenant  governor  becomes  vacant, 
the  person  exercising  the  powers  of  »^overnor  for  the  time  being  shall  give  no- 
tice thereof,  and  the  electors  shall,  at  the  next  succeeding  annual  election  for 
members  of  the  legislature,  choose  a  person  to  fill  such  vacancy. 

18.  The  governor  shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  for  his  services  a  compensa- 
tion, which  shall  neither  be  increased  nor  diminished  during  the  terms  for  which 
bo  has  been  elected. 

19.  The  lieutenant  governor,  except  when  acting  as  governor,  and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  senate  pro  tempore,  shall  each  receive  the  same  compensation  aa 
shall  be  allowed  to  the  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

20.  A  great  seal  for  tiie  state  shall  be  provided  by  the  governor,  which  shall 
contain  the  device  and  inscriptions  represented  and  described  in  the  papers  re- 
lating thereto,  signed  by  the  president  of  the  convention,  and  deposited  in  the 
office  of  the  secretary  of  the  territory.  It  shall  be  kept  by  the  Escretary  of  state  ; 
and  all  official  acts  of  the  governor,  his  approbation  of  the  laws  excepted,  shall 
be  thereby  authenticated. 

21.  All  grants  and  commissions  shall  be  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority, 
of  the  people  of  the  state  of  Michigan. 

Article  VI. — Judicial  DcpaHmenl. 

1.  The  judicial  power  shall  be  vested  in  one  supreme  court,  and  in  such 
other  courts  as  the  legislature  may  from  time  to  time  establish. 

2.  The  judges  of  the  supreme  court  shall  hold  their  offices  for  the  term  ot 
seven  years  ;  they  shall  be  nominated,  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
senate,  appointed  by  the  governor.  They  shall  receive  an  adequate  compensa- 
tion, which  will  not  be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office.  Bui  they 
shall  receive  no  fees  nor  perquisites  of  office,  nor  hold  any  other  office  of 
profit  or  trust  under  the  authority  of  this  state,  or  of  the  United  States. 

3.  A  court  of  probate  shall  be  established  in  each  of  the  organized  counties. 

4.  Judges  of  ull  county  courts,  associate  judges  of  circuit  courts,  and  judges 
of  probate,  shall  be  elected  by  the  qurilified  electors  of  the  county  in  which  they 
reside,  and  shall  hold  their  offices  for  four  years. 

5.  The  supreme  court  shall  appoint  their  clerk  or  clerks  ;  and  the  electors  of 
each  county  shall  elect  a  olerk,  to  ba  denominated  a  county  clerk,  who  shall 
hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  two  years,  and  shall  perform  the  duties  of  clerk  to 
all  the  courts  of  record  to  be  held  in  each  county,  except  the  supreme  court  and 
court  of  probate. 

6.  Each  township  may  elect  four  justices  of  the  peace,  who  shall  hold  their 
offices  for  four  years  ;  and  whose  powers  and  dutit's  shall  be  defined  and  regu- 
lated by  law.  At  their  first  election  they  shall  be  classed  and  divided  by  lot 
into  numbers  one,  two,  three,  and  fou  ,tobe  determined  in  such  manner  as  shall 
be  prescribed  by  law,  so  that  one  justice  shall  be  annually  elected  in  each  town- 
ship thereafter.  A  removal  of  any  justice  from  the  township  in  which  he  was 
elected,  shall  vacate  his  office.  In  all  incorporated  towns  or  cities,  it  shall  ba 
competent  for  the  legislature  to  increase  the  number  of  justices. 


i 


APPENDIX. 


389 


7.  The  style  of  all  process  shall  be  "  In  the  name  0/  the  People  of  the  Slate 
of  Ajichignn  ;"  and  all  indictment  shall  conclude,  against,  the  peace  and  dignity 
oi  the  same. 

Abtici.e  YU.— Certain  Stale  and  County  Officers, 

1.  There  shall  bo  a  secretary  of  state,  who  shall  hold  hia  office  for  two  years, 
and  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  governor,  by  and  with  tlie  advice  ond  con- 
sent of  the  senate.  He  shall  keep  a  fair  record  ol  the  olTicial  acts  of  the  legis- 
lative and  executive  departments  of  the  government;  and  shall,  when  required, 
lay  the  same,  and  all  matters  relative  thereto,  before  either  branch  of  the  legis- 
lature ;  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be  assigned  him  by  low. 

2.  A  state  treasurer  shall  be  appointed  by  a  joint  vote  of  the  tv,o  housea 
of  the  legislature,  and  shall  hold  hi°  office  for  the  term  of  two  years. 

3.  There  shall  be  an  auditor  general  and  an  attorney  generol  for  the  state, 
and  a  proseouting  attorney  for  each  of  the  respective  counties,  who  shall  hold 
their  offices  for  two  years,  and  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  governor,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  and  whose  powers  and  duties  shall 
be  prescribed  by  la'v. 

4.  There  shall  be  a  sheriff,  a  county  treasurer,  and  one  or  more  coroners,  a 
register  of  deeds  and  a  county  surveyor,  chosen  by  the  electors  in  each  of  the  seve- 
ral counties  once  in  every  two  years,  and  as  often  as  vacancies  shall  happen. 
The  sheriff  shall  hold  no  r'her  office,  and  shall  not  be  capable  of  holding  the 
office  of  sheriff  lonr;er  than  four  in  any  term  of  six  years  ;  he  may  be  required 
by  law  to  renew  his  security  from  time  to  time,  and  in  default  of  giving  such  se- 
curity, his  office  shall  be  deemed  vacant ;  but  the  county  shall  never  be  made 
responsible  for  the  acts  of  the  sheriff. 

AnTicLE  VIII. — Impeachments  and  Removals  from  Office. 

1.  The  house  of  representatives  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeaching  all 
civil  officers  of  the  state  for  corrupt  conduct  in  office,  or  for  crimes  and  misde- 
meanors ;  but  a  majority  of  ail  the  members  elected  shall  be  necessary  to  direct 
an  impeachment. 

2.  Ail  impeachments  shall  be  tried  by  the  senate.  When  the  governor  or 
lieutenant  governor  shall  be  tried,  the  chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court  shall 
preside.  Before  the  trial  of  an  impeachment,  the  members  of  the  court  shall 
take  an  oath  or  affirmation  truly  and  impartially  to  try  and  determine  the  charge 
in  question  according  to  the  evidence ;  and  no  person  shall  be  convicted  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present.  Judiment  in  casea 
of  impeachment,  shall  not  extend  further  than  to  removal  from  office  •  but  th» 
party  convicted  shall  he  liable  to  indictment  and  punishment  according  to  law. 

3.  For  any  reasonable  cause  which  shall  not  be  sufficient  ground  for  the  im- 
peachment of  the  judges  of  any  of  the  courts,  the  governor  shall  remove  any 
of  them  on  the  address  of  two-thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  legislature  ;  but  the 
cause  or  causes  for  which  such  removal  may  be  required,  shall  be  stated  at  length 
in  the  address. 

4.  The  legislature  shall  provide  by  law  for  the  removal  of  justices  of  tho 
peace,  and  other  county  and  township  officers,  in  such  manner  and  for  such 
cause  as  to  them  shall  seem  just  and  proper. 


390 


APPENDIX. 


Article  IX. — Militia. 

1.  The  logisliture  shall  provide  by  law  for  organizing  and  disciplining  the 
militia,  in  such  manner  as  thiry  shall  doom  expedient,  not  incompatible  with  the 
conaiitution  and  laws  of  the  Onited  States. 

2.  The  legislature  shall  provide  for  the  efficient  discipline  of  the  officers,  com- 
missioned and  non-commissioned,  and  musicians  ;  and  may  provide  by  law  for 
the  organization  and  discipline  of  volunteer  companies. 

3.  O  Wcon  of  the  militia  shall  be  elected  or  appointed  in  such  manner  as  the 
legislature  shall  from  lime  to  time  direct,  and  shall  be  commissioned  by  the 
governor. 

4.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  call  forth  the  militia,  to  execute 
the  laws  of  the  state,  to  suppress  insurrections,  and  repel  invasions. 

Article  'K.— Education. 

1.  The  governor  shall  nominate,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  und  consent  of 
the  legislature,  in  joint  vote,  shall  appoint  a  superintendent  of  public  instruction, 
who  shall  hold  his  office  for  two  years,  and  whose  duties  shall  bo  prescribed 
by  law. 

2.  The  legislature  shall  encourage,  by  all  suitable  means,  the  promotion  of 
intellectual,  scientifical,  and  agricultural  improvement.  The  proceeds  of  all 
lands  that  have  been  or  hereafter  may  be  granted  by  the  United  States  to  this 
state,  for  the  support  of  schools,  which  shall  hereafter  be  sold  or  disposed  of, 
shall  be  and  remain  a  perpetual  fund  ;  the  interest  of  which,  together  with  the 
rents  of  all  such  unsold  lands,  shall  be  inviolably  appropriated  to  the  support  of 
schools  throughoirt  the  state. 

3.  The  legislature  shall  provide  for  a  system  of  common  iciiools,  by  which 
a  school  shall  be  kept  up  and  supported  in  each  school  district  at  least  three 
mmths  in  every  year ;  and  any  school  district  neglecting  to  keep  up  and  sup- 
port  si-.ch  a  school,  may  be  deprived  of  its  equal  proportion  of  the  interest  of  the 
public  fund. 

4.  As  soon  as  the  circumstances  of  the  state  will  permit,  the  legislature  shall 
provide  for  the  establishment  of  libraries,  one  at  least  in  each  township  ;  and 
the  money  which  shall  be  paid  by  persons  as  an  equivalent  for  exemption' from 
military  duty,  and  the  clear  proceeds  of  all  fines  assessed  in  the  several  counties 
for  any  breach  of  the  penal  laws,  shall  be  exclusively  applied  to  the  support  of 
said  libraries, 

5.  The  legislature  shall  take  measures  for  the  protection,  improvement,  or  other 
disposition  of  such  lands  as  have  been  or  may  hereafter  be  reserved  or  granted 
by  the  United  States  to  this  state  for  the  support  oi  a  university ;  and  the  funds 
accruing  from  the  rents  or  sale  of  such  lands,  or  from  any  other  source  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid,  shall  be  and  remain  a  permanent  fund  for  the  support  of 
said  university,  with  such  branches  as  the  public  convenience  may  hereafter  de- 
mand for  the  promotion  of  literature,  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  as  may  be  au- 
thorized  by  the  terms  of  such  grant:  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  legisla- 
ture, as  soon  as  may  be,  to  provide  effectual  means  for  the  improvemenr  and 
permanen   security  of  the  funds  of  said  university. 

Article  Kl.— Prohibition  of  Slavery. 

1 .  Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude  shall  ever  be  introduced  into  this 


f     !f 


i  .J 


API'ENUIX. 


391 


•late,  except  for  the  punishment  of  crime,  of  which  tlie  party  .hall  have  been 
duly  convicted. 

Article  ^ll.—Miscellimeou!i  Provhioiia. 

1.  Members  of  the  legislature,  and  all  officers,  executive  und  judicial  except 
■uch  inferior  officer,  as  may  by  law  be  exempted,  shall,  before  they  enter  on  the 
duties  of  their  respective  offices,  take  and  subscribe  the  following  oath  or  affinn- 
ution  :  "  I  do  solemnly  sw  ear  (or  affirm,  as  the  case  may  bo)  that  1  will  support 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  the  constitution  of  this  state  ;  and  that 

I  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  of accordin<'  ro  the 

best  of  my  ability."    And  no  other  oath,  declaration,  or  test,  shall  be  "required 
as  a  quahhcation  for  any  office  or  public  trust. 

2.  The  legislature  shall  pass  no  act  of  incorporation,  unless  with  the  assent 
ol  at  least  two-thirds  of  each  house. 

3  Internal  improvement  shall  be  encouraged  by  the  government  of  this  state- 
and  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  legislature,  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  make  provision 
by  law  for  ascertaining  the  proper  objecU  of  improvement  in  relation  to  roads 
canals,  and  navigable  waters ;  and  it  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  provide  by  law 
for  an  equal,  systematic,  economical  application  of  the  funds  which  may  bo  an. 
propriated  to  these  objects. 

4.  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  tho  treasury  but  in  consequence  of  appro- 
priations  made  by  law,  and  an  accurate  statement  of  the  receipts  and  expendi- 
tures  of  the  public  money  .hall  be  attached  to  and  published  with  the  laws 
annually. 

5  Divorces  shall  not  bo  granted  by  the  legislature  ;  but  the  legislature  may 
by  law  authorize  the  higher  courts  to  grant  them,  under  such  restrictions  as  they 
may  deem  expedient. 

6.  No  lottery  shall  be  authorized  by  this  state,  nor  shall  the  sale  of  lottery 
tickets  be  allowed.  ' 

7.  No  county  now  organized  by  law  shall  ever  be  reduced,  by  the  organiza. 
tion  of  new  counties,  to  less  than  four  hundred  square  miles. 

8.  The  governor,  secretary  of  state,  treasurer,  and  auditor  general,  shall  kecD 
their  offices  at  the  seat  of  government. 

0.  The  seat  of  government  for  this  state  shall  be  at  Detroit,  or  at  such  other 
place  or  places  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law,  until  the  year  eighteen  hun. 
dred  and  forty-seven,  when  it  shall  be  permanently  located  by  the  le-isla- 
ture.  •'  ° 

.u'«  ?!!t^f  governor  and  lieutenant  governor  shall  hold  their  offices  until 
the  first  Monday  of  January  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  and  until  others 
shall  be  elected  and  qualified  ;  and  thereafter  they  shall  hold  their  offices  for 
two  years,  ..nd  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  and  qualified. 

11.  When  a  vacancy  shall  happen,  occasioned  by  the  death,  resignation  or 
removal  l.om  office  of  any  person  holding  office  under  *his  state,  (he^successor 
thereto  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  period  which  his  predecessor  had  to  serve 
and  no  longer,  unless  again  chosen  or  reappointed.  ' 

AancLE  Xm.—Mode  of  amending  and  revising  the  Constitution. 

1.  Any  amendment  or  amendments  to  this  constitution  may  be  proposed  in 
the  senate  or  house  of  representatives  j  and  if  the  same  shall  be  agreed  to  by  a 


H 


sm  4 


392 


APPENDIX. 


.t*f 


t 


majority  of  tlio  mambors  oloctod  to  each  of  the  two  houaes,  luch  proposed 
atnmidinont  or  aint)ndtnouts  ihall  bo  outortvl  on  their  jaiimaU,  with  the  yeai 
and  nays  tak  m  theroun,  an  I  rolorrod  to  tlio  Ingislaturc  then  next  to  bo  chosen  ; 
and  Hhiill  bo  pubhshod  fur  thrco  months  previous  to  the  time  of  inuking  such 
choice :  And  if  in  the  1  'gislntiiro  next  chosen  as  aforesaid,  such  proposed 
amondinent  or  amandin  'nts  shill  bo  agreed  to  by  two-thirds  of  all  iho  inomben 
cloctud  ti)  oich  home,  then  it  shall  hi)  the  duty  oftho  legislature  to  admit  such 
proposed  amondn  !nt  or  ainiMidmuits  to  tho  people,  in  such  manner  and  at  such 
time  M  the  le:»islaturo  shall  prescribe  :  and  if  the  people  shall  approve  and  ra- 
tify such  mendmont  or  amendments  by  a  majority  of  the  electors  qualified  to 
vote  for  members  of  the  loijisliiture  voting  th;reon,  such  aiM'n'Jment  or  amend- 
ments shall  become  part  of  the  constitution. 

2.  And  if  at  any  time  two-thirds  of  the  senate  and  house  of  represcntativea 
shall  think  it  necessary  to  revise  or  change  this  entire  constitution,  they  shall 
recommend  to  the  electors  at  the  next  election  for  incmbora  of  the  Icislaturo.  to 
vote  for  or  agamst  a  convention  :  and  if  it  shall  appear  that  a  majority  of  the 
electors  voting  at  such  election  have  voted  in  favor  of  calling  a  convention,  tha 
legislature  shall  at  its  next  session  provide  by  law  for  calling  a  convention,  to  be 
holden  within  six  months  after  the  passage  of  such  law  ;  and  such  convention 
shall  consist  of  a  number  of  members  not  less  than  that  of  both  branches  oftho 
legislature. 


Note  XIII. 


JURISPRCDRNCE    OP    MICHIGAN. 

Within  the  last  year,  u  revised  code  of  local  law  has  been  digested  under  the 
the  auspices  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  the  chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
of  Michigan.  Tlie  immense  mass  of  obsolete  law,  comprehended  in  the  sta- 
tutes, which  had  been  increasing  in  bulk  and  complexity  from  the  period  oftho 
legislation  oftho  old  North-Western  Territory  through  the  rnodilications  of  the 
territorial  governrniuit  down  to  the  erection  of  the  State,  opposed  a  formidable 
obstacle  to  research  in  this  department.  By  the  adoption  of  the  revised  statutes, 
which  are  modelled  on  the  enlightened  system  of  jurisprudence  which  prevails 
in  the  State  of  New- York,  the  citizens  of  the  State  are  now  provided  with 
nn  accessible  and  comprehensive  body  of  statute  laws,  tending  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  cheap  and  easy  justice  to  all  classes  of  the  people.  The  condilirn  of 
the  legislation  of  the  Territory,  when  the  governor  and  judges  held  the  power 
not  only  to  estabiisii  but  adjudge  t!ie  same,  exhibits  a  singular  phenomenon  in 
the  jurisprudential  system;  and  although  a  minute  account  of  the  operation  of 
that  system  in  Michigan  might  furnish  cuiious  matter  for  detail,  it  would  not,  it 
is  conceived,  subserve  any  very  valuable  purpose ;  and,  moreover,  it  belongs 
rather  to  the  more  technical  department  of  legal  literature  than  to  general 
history. 


■Ji 


APPENDIX. 


Note  XIV. 


a93 


Mant  facts  connected  with  tlie  early  history  of  Michigan  have  been  utatod 
on  the  authority  of  the  iiplendid  work  of  CImrhivoix,  piibhshcd  under  the  au- 
•picci  of  the  French  government,  and  entitled  "  A  Uoneral  lliblory  of  New 
France."  ' 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  however,  an  article  has  appeared  in   an 
American  periodical  which  throws  new  light  upon  the  timt  exploration  of  the 
North-Wcsi.     It  in  a  labored  and  critical  examination  of  contemporaneoua 
records,  which  may  be  conmdcred  good  authority,  connected  with  the  settlement 
of  the  West.     Among  those  good  fathers  whoso  benevolent  exertions  dislin- 
gmshed  that  period,  the  men  who  lived  on  «'  Indian  corn  grinded  small,"  and 
"little  frogs  gathered  in  the  meadows,"  the  most  distinguished  wos  Father 
Marquette,  whoso  life  has  recently  been  written  i.y  Mr.  Jnred  Sparks.     By 
this  it  appears  that  Mar.iuette,  having  founded  a  setilcmcnt  at  Michil.maeku.ac, 
labored  m  the  surrounding  regions  until  1C73,  when  M.  Talon,  the  Intcndant 
General  of  the  colony,  requested  him  to  start  for  the  discovery  of  the  Missis- 
Bippi.  On  the  I3th  of  March,  1673,  M,  Joliet,  Marquette,  and  five  other  French- 
men,  left  thot  place  in  two  canoes.    Passing  through  Green  Bay,  and  toihng 
along  the  rapids  of  Fox  River,  they  ot  length  came  to  an  Indian  village.     Hero 
they  found  a  cross,  on  which  were  hung  bows  and  arrows,  skins  and  belts,  aa 
an  ofTermg  to  the  Great  Spirit  because  he  had  given  them  a  successful  chase 
On  the  10th  of  Juno  the  adventurous  party  left  tliis  village,  beyond  which  no 
!•  renchman  had  before  gone,  and  soon  arrived  at  the  Wisconsin.     On  the  I7th 
of  the  same  month  they  came  to  the  Mississippi,  on  the  banks  of  which  they 
deseried  deer  and  buffaloes.     On  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi  they  also  saw 
swans  floating  '<  wingless,"  and  their  canoes  were  nearly  dashed  to  pieces  by 
Bome  "  great  fish"  which  were  found  in  those  parts.     Marquette  and  Joliet 
floon  came  to  a  village  of  the  Illinois,  where  they  were  treated  with  hospitality 
by  the  savages.     Leaving  the  Illinois,  the  travellers  passed  certain  rocks  on 
which  were  painied  monsters,  against  whom  they  had  been  warned  upon  Lake 
Michigan  by  the  Indians.     Reaching  the  Missouri  and  the  Ohio,  th«y  went 
down  to  «  Akamsca,"  where  they  ascertained  that  the  Mississippi  flowed  into 
the  sea.     From  this  point  they  started,  on  the  17th  of  July,  to  retrace  their 
steps,  and  soon  reached  the  Illinois,  and  from  that,  Lake  Michigan      "  No- 
where," says  Marquette,  "did  we  see  such  grounds,  meadows,  woods,  buffa- 
loes, stags,  deer,  wild  cats,  bustards,   swans,  ducks,  purroqucts,  and  even 
beavers,"  as  on  the  Illinois  river.     Father  Marquette  aftertrards  remained  on  the 
Illinois  in  the  exercise  of  his  missionary  functions  until  1675  ;  on  the  18th  of 
May  of  that  year,  he  died  on  the  western  shore  of  the  peninsula  of  Michigan 
and  was  buried  near  the  mouth  of  the  river  now  called  by  his  name  inlhis 
state. 

A  portion  of  the  article,  to  which  allusion  is  made,  is  devoted  to  a  considera- 
tion  of  La  Salle's  explorations.  On  the  winter  days  of  1678,  when  Lake  Erie 
frozen  lay  before  them  like  a  "plain  paved  with  fine  polished  marble"  La 
Salle's  men  built  the  Griffin,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the  mouth  of  the 
Mississippi.  In  August,  1679,  the  Griffin  was  -eady  to  sail,  and  she  started 
on  her  voyage  with  the  sound  of  Te  Dm  and  the  discharge  of  arquebuses ; 

0\) 


394 


APPENDIX. 


while  the  Iroquis,  who  had  regarded  (hoir  operations  with  jealousy,  and  who 
had  once  attacked  the  blacksmith  of  the  expedition,  loo'  ed  on  with  amaze* 
ment.  Thus  the  voyagers  passed  across  Lake  Erie  by  Detroit,  through  Lake 
St  Clair  and  Lake  Huron  ;  and  on  the  28th  of  August  arrived  at  Michilimack- 
inac.  Here  La  Salle  founded  a  fort.  He  then  went  down  to  Green  Bay, 
where  he  collected  a  cargo  of  furs,  and  despatched  them  to  Niagara  in  the 
Griffin.  La  Salle,  with  fourteen  nicn,  now  paddled  down  Lake  Michigan  in 
canoes  marking  the  shallows  by  bear  skins  stuck  on  poles,  and  feeding  on 
bears'  flesh  ;  and  on  the  1st  of  November,  1G79,  he  founded  the  old  fort  upon 
the  St.  Joseph  River  of  Lake  Michigan ;  Hennepin  preached  patience  and 
courage;  and  Toiiti,  the  Italian,  who  was  his  lieutenant,  soon  appeared  with 
some  good  venison  ;  but  the  Griffin,  which  was  expected,  did  not  return.  Hav- 
ing placed  a  garrison  of  ten  men  in  his  fort  of  St.  Joseph,  he  started  from  that 
fort  with  the  remainder,  "  thirty  working-men  and  three  monks." 

From  this  point  they  dropped  down  the  Illinois.  La  Salle  soon  arrived  at  a 
village  which  appears  to  have  been  the  present  site  of  Rockfort,  Illinois,  at  an 
Indian  settlement.  In  this  region  he  built  the  fort  Creve  Coeur.  The  winter 
thus  wore  away  ;  and  finding  that  the  Griffin  did  not  make  her  appearance,  La 
Salle  despatched  Father  Louis  Hennepin,  and  M.  Dacan  to  explore  tlio 
sources  of  the  Mississippi,  and  they  started  upon  their  voyage  on  the  last  day 
of  February,  1680. 

The  second  voyage  of  La  Salle,  for  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi,  it  is  alleged 
by  this  writer,  commenced  upon  the  Illinois  River  in  January,  1683.  This  is 
stated  on  the  authority  of  Tonti.  On  the  7th  of  February  they  reached  the 
Mississippi,  and  on  the  9th  of  April  they  came  to  its  mouth. 

On  the  24th  of  July,  1684,  La  Salle  again  sails  for  America  from  Rochelle  ; 
and  his  assassination  '  lok  place,  according  to  Joutel,  on  the  20lh  day  of  the 
month  in  1687,  near  the  mouth  of  Trinity  River,  according  to  the  map  in 
Charhvoix.  By  Joutel's  account.  La  Salle  was  a  man  of  science  and  accom- 
plishments, although  haughty,  arbitrary,  and  severe  towards  his  men,  m  a 
degree  which  cost  him  his  life.  By  the  people  whom  La  Salle  sent  out,  the 
forts  of  Kaskaskia,  Kahokia,  and  Peoria  were  founded.  As  he  also  laid  the 
foundation  of  the  fort  on  St.  Joseph  River,  and  also  of  that  at  Michilimackinac, 
his  name  desenrea  an  important  place  in  the  annals  of  Michigan. 


INDEX. 


Algonquins,  side  with  the  French,  12 ; 
their  character,  15. 

Argenson,  Marquis,  appointed  Gover- 
nor of  Canada,  16. 

Avangour,  Baron,  appointed  Governor 
of  Canada,  16. 

Allegan,  County  of,  290. 

Agriculture  in  Canada,  30. 

B 

Barclay,  Commodore,  commands  a 
fleet  on  Lake  Erie,  210. 

Boat  Songs,  Canadian,  64. 

Belieslre,  Commandant  of  Detroit,  92. 

Blucik  Swamp,  road  of,  recommended, 
230. 

Boundary  Line,  disputed  with  Ohio, 
237. 

Branch,  County  of,  285. 

Berrien,  County  of,  237. 

Barry,  County  of,  290. 

Buffiloes  on  siiore  of  Lake  Erie  ;  ac- 
coimt  of,  by  La  Hontan,  48;  by 
Charlevoix,  50. 

Bissett,  Henry,  Commandant  of  De- 
troit, 161. 

Brock,  General,  takes  Detroit,  197. 


Cass,  Lewis,  Governor  of  Michigan, 

219  ;  his  exploring  expedition.  222. 

Cartier,  Jacques,  arrives  at  Montreal, 

Celoron,  Commandant  of  Detroit,  338. 

Champlain,  Samuel,  foundii  duebec, 
6;  Governor  of  Canada,  15. 

Company  of  New  France  surrender 
their  charter,  17;  of  West  Indies 
organized,  17. 

Courcnrs  dos  Bois,  30;  their  charac- 
ter, 54. 

Currency,  Canadian,  32 ;  of  Michili- 
mackinac,  318. 

Charlevoix,  P.  F.  X.  de,  sent  out  from 


France  to  Canada,  49  ;  his  descrip. 
tion  of  Lake  Erie,  ibid;  of  Detroit, 

50  ;  of  an  Indian  Council  at  Detroit, 

51  ;  of  citrons  in  Michigan,  253. 
Chnton,  Dewitt,  establishes  Erie  Ca- 
nal, 231. 

Clinton  County,  292. 

Constitution  of  Michigan  established. 

241. 
Chippewa,  County  of,  292. 
Courume  de  Paris,  law  of  Canada,  27. 
Cadillac  Antoinede  la  Motle,  founds 

Detroit,  40  ;  first  grant  by,  336. 
Chippevvas,  allies  of  the  French,  41. 


D 


Detroit  founded.  40  ;  attacked  by  the 
Ottawas,  42;  by  the  Foxes,  43; 
taken  by  the  Ea'ilish,  97  ,  attac4<ed 
by  Poniiac,  10(5 ;"  surrendered  to  the 
Americans,  167;  destroyed  by  fire, 
170  ;  re-taken  by  the  English,  197  . 
restored  to  the  Americans,  213. 

Do  Louvigny,  Commandant  ot  Michi- 
limackinac,  attacks  the  Foxes,  46. 

Du  Buisson,  Commandant  of  Detroit 
44.  ' 

Duquesne,  Marquis,  signs  an  order 
for  Detroit,  339. 

De  Peyster,  Commandant  of  Detroit, 
140. 

E 

Erie,  Lake,  La  Hontan's  description 
of,  48;  naval  battle  of,  211 ;  canal 
established,  231, 

Eaton,  County  of,  290, 


Frontenac,  Count  de,  appointed  Go- 
vernor of  Canada,  18. 
Foxes,  their  battles,  46, 
Frenchtown,  battle  of,  20.5. 
French  emigrants  of  Michigan,  53. 
Fur  trade,  French,  of  the  lakes;  La 


396 


INDEX. 


Hontan'8  account  of,  64  ;  English,        of  Michigan,  55;  English  of  Michi. 
127.  gan,  135. 

Francis  I.,  his  colonization  of  Canada, 
331.  K 


G 


Gallatin,  Albert,  cited  about  the  In- 
dians, 303  ;  his  agency  in  establish- 
inw  land  surveys,  320. 

Green  Bay,  French  settlement  there, 
39. 

Greenville,  treaty  of,  22(5  ;  cited,  340. 

Govern'  u-  of  Michigan,  248. 

Grar.t,  firsi  made  at  Detroit,  336 ;  In- 
dian grar.t  at,  339. 

Geology  of  Michigan,  347. 

Grand  River,  report  on  it,  336. 


H 


Harmar,  Josiah,  surprised  by  the  In- 
dians, 155. 

Harrison,  AViliiam  Henry,  defeats  the 
Indians  and  English,  215  ;  his  sys- 
tem of  surveys,  229. 

Hillsdale,  County  of,  285. 

Hennepin,  Louis,  travels  through  the 
Lakes,  19  ;  his  eulogy  of  La  Salle, 
20. 

Hurons,  allies  of  the  French,  41. 

Huron  Lake,  263. 

Hamilton,  Henry,  Commandant  of 
Detroit,  his  capture,  139. 

Heckewoklpr  tarried  to  Detroit,  140. 

Hudson's  Bay  Company  chartered, 
127. 

Henry,  Alexander,  trader  of  Michili- 
mackinac,  117. 

Hull,  William,  Governor  of  Michigan, 
170;  surrenders  Detroit,  197;  is 
deposed,  198. 


I 


Indian  Chiefs  carried  to  France,  7. 

Indians  of  Michigan,  306. 

Iroquois  side   with   the  English,   12  ; 

their  character,  13;  chiefs  of,  sent  to 

the  galleys,  22. 
Ionia,  County  of,  291. 


Jackson,  County  of,  287. 

Jesuits,  College  of,  founded  at  due- 
bee,  9 ;  their  missionary  exertions 
among  the  Indians,  57. 

Joutel,  his  journal,  394. 

Jurisprudence,  Canadian,  27 ;  French 


Kalamazoo,  County  of,  288. 
Kalamazoo  River,  report  on  it,  366, 
Kondiaronk,  his  policy,  23. 
Kent,  County  jf,  201. 


La  Salic  explores  the  west,  and  builds 

the  first  vessel  on  Lake  Eric,  19; 

founds  fort  MichiiimacUinar,  394  ; 

fort  of  St.  Joseph,  394  ;  his  death,  20. 
La  Hontan,  Baron,  his  description  of 

Lake  Erie,  4S ;  his  account  of  the 

Fur  Trade,  64. 
Lands,  Canadian  tenure  of,  31  ;  ofMi- 

chiHan  first  brought  intoniarket,  183. 
Land  Oflicc,  first  established  in  Michi- 
gan, 182. 
Legislative  Council,  established,  227  ; 

modifications  of  it,  231. 
Lakes,  first  ncrount  of  them,  5  ;  their 

dimensions,  263. 
Lake  Coast  of  Michigan,  263. 
Lenawee,  County  of,  285. 
Livingston,  County  of,  290. 
La  Peer,  County  of,  291. 
Lcsdigiiieres,  Duchesse  de,  addressed 

by  Charlevoix,  49. 

M 

Mason,  Stevens  T.,  Governor  of  Mi- 
chigan, 241. 

Montreal,  its  condition  in  1535,  4- 
in  1720,  33. 

Mississippi  River,  discovery  of,  19. 

Marquette,  Joseph,  explores  the  Mis- 
sissippi, 19  ;  his  death,  279. 

Marquette  River,  of  Michigan,  279. 

Michilimackinac  founded.  36 ;  de- 
stroyed, 121. 

Mackinaw,  Island  of,  attacked,  216 ; 
Countv  of,  292. 

Morris,  Govcrneur,  first  suggests  Erie 
Canal,  231. 

Montcalm,  Marquis  do,  defends  Que- 
bec, 82  ;  his  death,  84. 

Michigan,  population  of  in  1811,  181  ; 
in  18.30,  285;  in  1831,  236;  in 
1834,  237;  in  1837,  300;  eenernj 
8\irfucc  of,  249  ;  rivers,  250 ;  soil, 
251  ;  animals,  253;  interior  lakes, 
253;  mineral  productions,  ibid; 
roads,  254 ;  ancient  monuments, 
256  ;  internal  improvements,  263. 


iif       1 


INDEX. 


397 


Michigan  Lake,  263. 
Monroe,  County  of,  283. 
Macomb,  County  of,  284. 
Menominees,  allies  of   the    French, 
Minlvavana,  speech  of,  1 18. 
Marquoit,  speech  of,  176. 

N 

North-West,  its  general  features,  313  ; 

navigable  advantages  of,  314  ;  Ohio, 

314;    Indiana,    15;    Illinois,   316; 

Wisconsin,    316 ;    scenery    of   the 

lakes,  316. 
North- West  Company,  127. 
North- West  Territory  organized,  145. 
Names,  Indian,  260. 


O 


Oakland,  County  of,  289. 

Ottawas,  Indians,  allies  of  the  French, 

41. 
Ottawas,  River,  early  channel  of  the 

Fur  Trade,  30. 
Ohio  River,  la  belle  riviere,  discovered 

by  La  Salle,  77. 


Pontiac,  his  first  appearance,  91  ;  his 
Confederacy,  101 ;  his  attack,  of 
Detroit,  106  ;  his  death,  124. 

Perry,  Oliver  Hazard,  his  victory  on 
Lake  Erie,  211. 

Proctor,  General,  takes  Frenchtown, 
208. 

Porter,  George  3.,  appointed  Gover- 
nor of  Michisan,  236. 

Production  of  Michijjan  in  1837,  293. 

Priests,  Catholic,  their  province,  26. 

Petition  from  Detroit  in  1753,  338. 

Potawatamies,  allies  of  the  French, 
41. 

Q, 

duebec,  founded,  6 ;  its  condition  in 
1684,32;  in  1720,33;  surrendered 
to  the  English,  83, 

R 

Roque,  Francois  de  la,  cnils  for  the 

Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  6. 
Richelieu,    Cardinal,     organizes    the 

Company  of  New  France,  7. 
Ro2ers,   Robert,  hia  letter  to  Uncas, 

80 ;    addresses    Belleatre,  92 ;    his 

speech  to  the  Western  Indians,  93  ; 

takes  possession  of  Michigan,  97. 


Recollots,  their  character,  26. 
S 

Seminary,  Catholic,  founded  at  Sille- 
ry,  10. 

Sault  de  St.  Marie  founded,  38. 

St.  Joseph,  fort,  founded,  33;  St. 
Joseph  River,  fort  founded,  394 ;  sur- 
vey of  river,  372. 

Steam  Boat,  first  on  Lake  Erie,  222. 

St.  Clair,  County  of,  284. 

Shiawasse,  County  of,  291. 

Saginaw,  County  of,  292, 

Superior,  Lake,  264. 

St.  Clair,  Lake,  264. 

St.  Clair,  Arthur,  Governor  of  North- 
West  Territory,  148. 

Silver  found  near  Lake  Superior,  136. 

Superior,  Lake,  136. 

Settlements,  Spanish,  message  from, 
154. 


Travellers,  French,  through  the  lakes, 
345 

Thames,  battle  of  the,  214. 

Tecumseh,  excites  the  Western  In- 
dians, 174  ;  encounters  the  Ameri- 
cans at  Monguagon,  194;  his  death, 
215. 

Tonti,  M.  de.  Commandant  of  Detroit, 
42. 

U 

Ursula,  Convent  of,  established,  10, 

V 

Verrazzano,  Giovanni,  his  expedition, 

2. 
Van  Buren,  County  of,  288. 

W 

Washington,  George,  his  advance  to 
Fort  Dnquesne,  76. 

Wawafam,  his  friendly  services,  120, 

Woodbridge,  William,  his  public  ser- 
vice, 230. 

Wolfe,  General,  takes  ducbec,  83 ; 
his  death,  84. 

Wayne,  Anthony,  his  defeat  of  the 
Indians,  161. 

Wayne  County,  289. 

Wheat,  production  of,  in  Michigan, 
described  by  Charlevoix,  50. 

Wenniway,  a  chief  in  the  attack  of 
Michilimackinac,  123. 


1 


ERRATA. 

Page  3,  line  9,  for  ccnjury,  read  conjuring ;  p.  21,  1.  21,  for  for,  read  from  ;  p. 
21, 1.  5,  for  145,  read  155  ;  p.  47, 1.  8,  for  most,  much ;  p.  47, 1.  19,  for  buffalo,  bujh. 
Ices ;  p.  49,  1.  19,  for  Dutchess,  Diwliesse ;  p.  59, 1.  2,  for  to  be,  to  have  been ;  p.  60, 
note,  for  A,  IV;  p.  61, 1.  If),  for  Pquottlee,  Piqn ;  p.  61,  note,  for  B.,  V;  p.  101,  1. 
32,  for  Georce,  Ecorce;  p.  103,  1.  19,  for  Cohonnor,  Corhon;  p.  104,  1.  22,  for  gate 
entes;  p.  109,  1.  17,  for  1645,  1826;  p.  110,  1.  ?6,  forMelveri,  Meloche ;  p.  119,  f.  l?) 
lor  Crooke,  Croche ;  p.  120,  1.  20,  for  Powatnn,  Wawalam ;  p.  124,  1.  7,  for  salt, 
skuU;  p.  128,1.  15,  for  1774,  1794;  p.  131, 1.  31,  forstrstched,  A«d  s/re^rAerf;  p  1.12. 
1.  23,  for  they,  it;  p.  155,  1.  29,  for  1792,  1790;  p.  156, 1.  31,  for  1761,  1791 ;  p.  201, 
1.  23,  for  amplest,  mosi  am/ite ;  p.  201,  1.  25,  omit  no^•  p.  210, 1.  7,  for  were,  «xjs; 
p.  212, 1.  3\  for  langrade,  langrage ;  p.  213,  I.  12,  for  and,  was;  p.  213, 1.  13,  for 
bulwarks,  bulwarks  by  that  ship;  p.  216, 1.  25,  for  diamer,  diameter;  p.  217,  1.  5,  for 
collected,  collecting  ;  p.  226, 1.  22,  for  is,  are;  p.  22",  1.  38,  for  depopulation,  depor- 
tiilinn  ;  p.  229, 1.  32,  for  a  mile  square,  a  smia^e  mile ;  p.  229, 1.  33,  for  numericalor- 
der,  in  numerical  order ;  p.  2?9,  1  35,  for  blared,  blazed;  p.  233,  1.  33,  for  are,  j's ;  p. 
235,  1.  31,  for  Sheawassu,  Shiawassee ;  p.  233,  1.  32,  for  it  was  provided,  provided  i 
p.  239, 1.  22,  for  15,  7  ;  p.  240,  1.  12,  for  was.  Were ;  p  247,  1.  3,  for  520,000,  3,520,- 
000 ;  p.  251, 1.  24,  for  is,  are;  p.  253,  1.  34,  for  are,  is  ;  p.  254, 1.  2,  lor  crystalirid, 
tn/stalized;  p.  255, 1.  12,  for  present,  presents;  p.  259, 1.  23,  for  has  recorded,  con- 
tains; p.  261,  1.  6,  for  canals,  sands;  p.  261, 1.22,  for  free,  tree;  p.  264,  I.  12,  for 
denseness,  density  ;  p.  264,  1.  24,  for  are.  is;  p.  264,  I.  27,  for  are,  is  ;  p.  273,  1.  22, 
for  stone,  store  ;  p.  275,  1.  33,  for  in,  it;  p.  276,  1.  21,  for  alluviations,  deposition  ;  p. 
277, 1.  7,  for  some,  of  some ;  p.  292, 1. 24,  omit  be ;  p.  316, 1.  17,  for  flowine,  j^ojoerv  ; 
p.  378, 1. 20,  for  Umited,  «/m<ed.  r        -        .  6..;        yi 


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